#CommsCamp is back. This year it’s called #CommsCampStaysHome.

I’m really rather chuffed to be part of the team organising this year’s #CommsCampStaysHome. If you’ve been before, to Birmingham, Sheffield, Bradford, you’ll know what to expect. Maybe not exactly what you’d get at a normal #CommsCamp, but we’re keeping much of what you know and love.

If you haven’t been before, it’s definitely worth coming along. Nearly 200 people came to the last Birmingham #CommsCamp, so that’s got to tell you something.

What you need to know about #CommsCampStaysHome

It’s for public sector comms people. This includes local gov, housing, blue light services, health, central gov and more.

It’s free.

It’s an unconference, so you get to choose what you talk about. So if there is something that you want to learn, a challenge that’s been bothering you or a project you need help with, it’s your time to pitch. Previous sessions have ranged from AI to evaluation, video subtitling to creativity in comms, ranting about whatever you want to imposter syndrome.

And if there is something that has become even more apparent to me during lockdown is how giving public sector comms people are. If someone has a solution to your problem, they’ll help. Everyone’s in much the same boat; a boat with no oars, a hole and half a sail mind, but at least it feels like there’s a bucket to share round, so everyone can look try and look after each other.

What’s different

#CommsCampStaysHome will be held over two half days on August 20 and 25, rather than on one day.

It’ll be online so you won’t need to buy a train ticket or persuade your boss for the budget to stay over.

What’s not different

We’ll still have a social.

Kate Bentham will still be involved in cake - as well as helping to organise it all.

Other organisers Bridget Aherne, Emma Rodgers and - of course - master of ceremonies, Dan Slee are all going to be there, as well as lots of other familiar faces including the rest of the team, David Grindlay, Sweyn Hunter and Arlene McKay

Most importantly, it’s all still about you.

Get yourself a ticket

The first ticket release - and tickets, I’d like to remind you, are FREE - is on Tuesday 21 July at noon. Go to commscamp.org to find out more.