Put simply co-production is a way in which we work together to develop services.
Co-production means everyone works together as equals, listening to each other and learning from different experiences.
It aims to make everyone feel safe and valued.
This approach tries to remove organisational barriers, be open to change, and give clear information so everyone can make good choices.
The main idea is fairness - making sure everyone can contribute in a real way and challenging old-fashioned, top-down ways of doing things.
In the end, coproduction aims to bring new ideas, change how organisations work, and make services better by listening to all kinds of people, especially those who haven't been heard before, to solve problems together.
Our co-production principles
- We show how we all work together.
- We work together equally and include everyone.
- This includes people who work in health and care services and people who use health and care services.
- We use agreed ways to do this.
- We do this by promoting partnership.
- We make sure that people who work in health and care services and people who use health and care services are heard.
- We make sure that everything is accessible and that people feel able to express their views safely and comfortably.
- We grow and learn together in a way that is fair and respectful.
- We use active listening to do this.
- We reflect and check that we understand what each other means.
- We make sure everyone’s contribution is valued and considered.
- We recognise and celebrate each person’s strengths.
- We do this by supporting one another to use their skills, experiences and talents.
- We decide to set high standards, based on the best practice.
- We share our knowledge with each other.
- We reflect on what we have done and what we have achieved.
- We choose to be open to change.
- We work together with people from different backgrounds and experiences
The definition of co-production and principles of co-production shared on this page were co-produced by people with lived experience and people working in services from Provider Collaboratives across the West Midlands.
Co-pro video: The Parable of the Blobs and Squares
This clever animation, created for No More Throw Away People and narrated by Brian Blessed, features a story about blobs and squares that highlights the importance of engaging people with lived experience and the necessity of listening to everyone to make services more effective, without resorting to a blame culture. This fun short film explains why co-production matters, in a friendly and accessible way.
