communicate / human-centred writing in the age of AI
TLDR
For public sector teams producing written work that deserves to be read. Helps teams write clearly, accurately and with a human voice that people trust, so their work is understood, trusted and acted upon.
Why Teamshaper?
Teamshaper is a team of highly experienced trainers and coaches who have been supporting public sector teams for decades. Our CPD-accredited modules are tried and tested, and our methods continue to evolve through our ongoing work with public sector teams navigating change.
We come into every workshop prepared, having consulted with key stakeholders and used diagnostic tools where appropriate. This means the session itself is highly relevant to your team’s specific objectives and context - there’s nothing generic about it!
Through high-energy, practical sessions, we focus on building habits that last.
This training programme is designed for public sector teams producing written work such as communications, policy papers, briefings, research or analysis, and who want that work to have more impact with the people reading it.
Many teams produce thoughtful, valuable written work, yet still have the feeling that it is not being read, not being fully absorbed, or not having the influence it should. This programme helps teams understand why that happens and what to do about it.
We focus on setting clear objectives for any written work and understanding the audience for whom it is intended. The programme helps teams develop a clear and confident voice while understanding the needs and reading habits of their audience, so that important content is easier to engage with and more likely to land.
AI tools are increasingly part of how teams draft, edit and summarise written work. The session explores how these tools can support the writing process while ensuring the team retains ownership, judgement and responsibility for what is published.
The programme aligns with the UK Government AI Playbook guidance, ensuring teams apply AI in a safe and proportionate way while remaining responsible for the content they produce.
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Strengthen your team’s ability to write with a common voice and shared standards.
Use AI in line with UK Government AI Playbook principles, ensuring safe and responsible application.
Build robust team-based writing processes that deliver clarity, quality, speed and cohesion.
Develop skills in structuring, editing and summarising content for maximum reader impact without unnecessary expansion or over-compression.
Write with accessibility and cultural awareness, ensuring communications are relevant to diverse public audiences.
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A unified, confident team that writes with one voice and shared purpose.
Clear understanding of team roles in drafting, editing and reviewing content.
Practical strategies for using AI as a support tool, without over-reliance or inefficiency.
Greater awareness of inclusivity, plain language and accessibility requirements.
A culture of peer feedback, process discipline and continuous improvement.
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Discovery
Before the workshop, we gather insight into your team’s goals, challenges and ways of working. This may include short conversations with key stakeholders and a questionnaire.
Full-day core workshop (in-person or virtual)For smaller teams or focused topics, the workshop can sometimes be run as a half-day.
Follow-up virtual meetup (2 hours, 1 month later, OPTIONAL)
Review commitments and progress
Share embedded practices and lessons learned
Identify any new support or development needs
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09:30 – 10:00
Welcome, introductions and pre-course review
Trainer welcome, overview of the day and review of pre-course questionnaire. Participants share expectations and team goals.10:00 – 10:45
Knowing your audience – writing with purpose and empathy
Identifying audience needs for public sector writing, including accessibility, cultural sensitivities and plain language.10:45 – 11:30
AI as partner, not replacement
Exploring when and how to use AI responsibly, in line with the UK Government AI Playbook. Comparison exercises showing how to avoid the expand–shrink cycle and write appropriately from the outset.11:30 – 11:45
Break11:45 – 12:45
Structuring for clarity
Techniques for building clear, concise structures. Avoiding unnecessary expansion or over-compression while meeting purpose and word constraints.12:45 – 13:30
Lunch13:30 – 14:15
Tone, style and inclusivity
Workshop on creating a unified team tone of voice. Practical exercises on inclusive language and avoiding jargon.14:15 – 15:00
Collaborative writing processes
Defining team roles, workflows and checkpoints for quality assurance. Applying AI and human review in a balanced and efficient way.15:00 – 15:15
Break15:15 – 16:00
Ruthless editing and peer review
Hands-on editing exercises with real or simulated public sector content. Techniques for meeting word/character limits without losing meaning or accessibility.16:00 – 16:30
Commitments and close
Review team goals and learning. Set commitments for embedding. Outline the follow-up virtual meetup in 2 months.
