The project aims to involve up to one million people from all walks of life in shaping society after the coronavirus crisis.
- Andrea Sutcliffe – Chief Executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Professor Donna Hall CBE – former Chief Executive of Wigan Council and Chair of the New Local Government Network
- Hetan Shah – Chief Executive of The British Academy
- Josh Hardie – Deputy Director General, Confederation of British Industry
- Martin Lewis OBE – founder of MoneySavingExpert.com and personal finance expert
- Mike Clancy – General Secretary of the Prospect trade union
- Nick Timothy – author and former adviser to the Prime Minister
- Rt Hon Nicky Morgan – Baroness Morgan of Cotes, former Secretary of State for Education, and for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
- Stewart Wood, Lord Wood of Anfield – former senior adviser to the Leader of the Opposition
- Ndidi Okezie - CEO of UK Youth
- Vidhya Alakeson – Chief Executive of Power to Change, a National Lottery-funded network of community businesses
As part of the Commission, Demos has launched an open platform for citizens to share their stories, experiences and ideas, as the first step to understanding the impact current changes are having on people’s lives across the country. Renew Normal will work with the public throughout the project, through social listening, deliberation, participation, polling, and discussion, to understand the real life implications of all these changes. It is an opportunity to have permaculture voices heard. We can bring our examples of sustainable living to the mainstream, and help earth care, people care and fair shares to become mainstream ideals.
Demos will then work with Commissioners and the public to find ways to hold on to the changes we value – from increased community connection to reduced air pollution – and heal the damage that has been caused – from unemployment to loneliness.
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com and the Money & Mental Health Policy Institute said:
“Life has changed forever. Not just the way we work, support each other, travel, shop and spend, but also the roles people play in society. The past few months have been challenging for our country on every level, but it is time to try and find opportunity from the adversity. This is a moment to decide how we want to rebuild things, by design, not chance. A national conversation is needed, to see how lives have changed and how everyone feels about it, that’s why I’m delighted to be involved in the Demos commission, to try to work to ensure all voices are heard, and amplified, to hope for the betterment of society for all.”
