Get active with co-production

By Leanne Wightman, coordinator of Get Yourself Active

How do you solve the problem of getting people to lead healthier lifestyles? Whilst the policy wonks scratch their heads, many of us continue to indulge in frowned-upon eating habits and stay resolutely on our sofas, instead of heading out for a brisk walk or a cycle ride after eating our five a day portions of fruit and veg.

Experts can help – from dieticians to fitness coaches, there are people who will assist us, when we are ready.

For some of us, of course, getting physically active may be more problematic and that’s certainly true for disabled people. A combination of inaccessible facilities, poor transport links and financial difficulties throw up what can seem like insurmountable barriers.

Co-production

Can the principles of co-production help with these sorts of problems? Of course they can, because disabled people know what the problems are and can help identify how to sort them out.

That’s what we found when we started working with disabled people’s user led organisations to help broker access to physical activities and sport for local disabled people, which included funding posts for local coordinators.

Having lived experience of disability meant they were able to bring new knowledge and resources to local sports providers, helping guide them on the best way to provide services to disabled customers.

They also helped providers build relationships with disabled people’s organisations, deepening understanding of the needs of local disabled people and encouraging providers to think about a long term approach.

Less need for support

We know co-production is not a quick fix, in the leisure sector or anywhere else. But we also know that disabled people are much less likely to get involved in physical activity than non-disabled people, and miss out on the benefits that brings. There’s improved fitness of course, and improved wellbeing and less social isolation. Our research also suggests there may be a positive impact in terms of people needing less support in the shape of social care or GP services.

Whilst the policy wonks continue to scratch their heads, maybe they should be looking at co-production as a tool to make things happen?

Get Yourself Active is a project run by Disability Rights UK with support from the National Lottery and Sport England. An evaluation of the project has been launched. Copies are available here.