Co-Production in Action

Many organisations want to work more collaboratively with the people they support, but are unsure how to move beyond consultation.

This engaging and practical workshop introduces the principles and practice of Co-Production — an approach that places people with lived experience at the heart of decision-making, service design, and community change.

Co-production is about doing things with people, not for them. It recognises that communities, individuals, practitioners, and organisations all bring valuable knowledge, skills, and insight. When these perspectives are brought together as equal partners, the result is often more creative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.

Importantly, co-production is not an add-on, a tick-box exercise, or simply a buzzword. When done well, it becomes a way of working that strengthens relationships, builds trust, and leads to better outcomes for both organisations and the communities they serve.

This workshop explores how co-production can help organisations:

• Build stronger relationships with communities
• Design services that better reflect people’s real experiences and needs
• Improve engagement and participation
• Create more effective and sustainable solutions
• Foster a culture of collaboration and shared ownership

What Participants Will Explore

Participants will:

• Develop a clear understanding of what co-production is — and what it is not
• Explore the values and principles that underpin meaningful collaboration
• Understand how co-production can benefit organisations, services, and communities
• Examine how co-production can strengthen services, projects, and community initiatives
• Reflect on common barriers that prevent genuine participation
• Explore practical ways to create spaces where people feel able to contribute and shape decisions

Learning Experience

This workshop is highly interactive and includes:

• Practical group exercises
• Real-life examples of co-production in action
• Collaborative discussion and reflection
• Activities exploring how co-production can be embedded into everyday practice
• Opportunities to reflect on how these approaches could be applied within participants’ own organisations or communities

Participants will leave with practical ideas, tools, and confidence to develop more collaborative ways of working.