Co-production: Sharing vision, ideas, and solutions that are much more likely to work

By Clenton Farquharson, Chair of Think Local Act Personal

In amongst the cacti, the tropical palms, and expansive lawns of Birmingham's Botanical Gardens, something exciting was happening: a Citizens' stakeholder event to launch the Midlands Citizens Leadership Academy. This new group is the brainchild of Suzy Harris at West Midlands Leadership (part of NHSi), and aims firstly to bring together and prepare citizens so they can contribute fully to coproduction, and, secondly, to encourage organisations to use coproduction more and better. 

We at Community Navigator Services CIC (CNS) have been part of the co-design team and were talking about coproduction as our contribution to the day. In the spirit of coproduction, we co-designed and co-delivered our presentation: Rob made the crowded room laugh, and that was before he read one of his poems; Clenton encouraged us to share big, bold dreams, and Jack's explanation of the tlap ladder of coproduction reduced the room to tears — but you can't win them all. 

Our theme was that coproduction is a tree. You need deep community and citizen roots which support the organisational trunk and branches. You need sunshine, and even a little rain. Together, you get a healthy eco-system that can make all our lives better. We talked about what coproduction means to us in real terms: power sharing for a new society, the equality of all voices, the need for healthy disagreement on the way to achieving shared solutions, and the importance of feelings as well as facts and opinions. 

We think it went well, but don't ask us. This is what others had to say: 

"Our framework has been designed to create a culture which empowers our citizens and values their voice as an equal partner in health and care services.  However, we also acknowledge that we can only deliver this vision where professionals and leaders buy into the wider purpose, understanding how Citizens can have a positive impact." Suzy Harris, West Midlands Leadership.

Faye Hall and her group of young citizens (Kitty, Demi, Kyle, and Cleo) said: 

"Coproduction is so important to young people because they are the citizens of the future. Coproduction gives them a voice. There is no one who knows their experience better than themselves. It enables those making decisions to open their minds and everyone learns from each other. Coproduction can exist on many levels and to varying degrees but the key is to be clear, honest, open, and transparent so that services reflect the needs of the communities around them, by sharing vision, ideas, and solutions that are much more likely to work."

And finally, Rob will not let us leave without quoting from his poem: 

Engaged in a group that see us all as equals
Where the marginalised voices join
the central voices as one.
Understanding each other,
I can give a positive, personal difference. 
The root to the tree.