Courage and Connection: A Masterclass with Mayor Oliver Coppard

Jacob is a Policy & Quality Development Officer for a care provider, with a strong focus on improving the effectiveness and inclusivity of care delivery. He is particularly passionate about working collaboratively with other organisations and partners to develop more holistic approaches that better meet the needs of the people they support. 

Outside of his professional role, Jacob volunteers to teach English to asylum seekers and refugees, reflecting his deep commitment to social inclusion and community empowerment. He is especially interested in creating accessible, welcoming social spaces where individuals from all walks of life can connect, reducing isolation and fostering a stronger sense of community.

 Like many others, I’ve at times felt disillusioned with politics. Trust and confidence in politicians can be pretty fragile, especially when people feel their needs aren’t always at the centre of decision-making. But despite the cynicism that can surround politics, I still believe that most people, at their core, work in public life with a genuine desire to make a positive difference. 

That belief was reaffirmed for me during a recent Patchwork Masterclass with Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire. In our session, I saw a person in power who wasn’t only enthusiastic about change; but someone who embodies the values of courage, empathy and service in his leadership. 

Before our masterclass, I didn’t properly understand what a mayor does or the scale of their influence. I had a vague idea involving ribbon cutting and public speeches to draw in growth and investment, but unsurprisingly it was a little more than that. Oliver used real-life examples from areas such as transport, housing, crime prevention, and cultural life in South Yorkshire to communicate the role he plays in shaping change, in turn changing my understanding. More than his words, however, what will stay with me was how he engaged with us as Patchworkers – his genuine interest in what we had to say, his openness, and his thoughtfulness.  

Carry Yourself with Courage 

Oliver was honest about the pressure that comes with public roles; the criticism, the second-guessing, the fact that you’ll never make everyone happy. Especially when the topics are sensitive or controversial. Luckily there was a lesson in all this. He reminded us that criticism is part and parcel of public service. There will always be voices saying you’re doing it wrong. The important thing is not to let the fear of being criticised stop you from stepping forward, taking on responsibility, and doing valuable work that needs to be done in society. I think, I could carry myself with a bit more courage, and that’s something I’ll be working on. Both in my career and life more generally moving forward.  

Empathy in Public Life  

It was refreshing to see the real, human side of politics come through in Oliver’s stories; something that often gets lost in the soundbites and headlines. He spoke with us about some of the projects he’s been involved in as mayor, his policy ideas, the people he’s met across South Yorkshire, and even his experiences with other politicians. But he wasn’t just there to talk to us, he wanted to hear our thoughts too, and what we might do if we were in his shoes. 

What tied all of this together, for me, was a real sense of empathy. A real effort to understand what people feel and think about things and implements that in his political decision-making. That idea has stuck with me: good policy has to come from a deep understanding of people’s lives, not from assumptions. It feels especially relevant as I step into a new role in policy myself. It’s something I also recognise from working in care; you can’t offer the right support without first understanding someone’s situation. It’s not about what you think people want; it’s about understanding what people need.  

Build Relationships with People 

In many ways, this was the theme that brought the last two takeaways together. Oliver hammered home the idea that if you want to make meaningful change, you have to stay in touch with people. He was a great example of this in action, whether it was building friendships with other mayors, working with government ministers, chatting with people in the community, or keeping in touch with former colleagues. All of these connections led to different opportunities; not just for him, but for others too. 

I think building relationships takes a bit of courage, especially when you’re not sure someone will be open to what you have to say. I mean, if I can have a genuinely good conversation with ‘someone’ who supports the other half in Sheffield, then there’s hope for cross-party collaboration everywhere. But it also takes empathy, a real willingness to listen to people’s views, even when they’re different from your own. 

This takeaway made me feel especially grateful to be part of Patchwork. I’m lucky to have the chance to build relationships with such talented and kind people; both those delivering the masterclasses and those sitting beside me in them.  

Final Reflections 

As Patchworkers; young people trying to find our place in the world and potentially in public life, it’s easy to feel like we’re on the outside looking in. But listening to Oliver Coppard reminded me that politics doesn’t have to be distant or transactional. At its best, it’s personal, principled, and quite human. The three takeaways: carrying yourself with courage, being empathetic, and building relationships – reflect that, and they’re what I’ll keep aspiring to as I look to create change. 

A huge thank you to Oliver Coppard for such a brilliant masterclass, to our fantastic chair, and to the rest of my fellow Patchworkers, who are always so enthusiastic, thoughtful, and lovely to spend time with. I’m excited to see who we’ll speak to next!