What is Co-Production?
Doing things with people, not to them
At its heart, co-production is about working in equal partnership. It brings together people who use services (people with “lived experience”) and the people who run those services to design and deliver them together.
Instead of service providers creating a plan and then asking for feedback later, co-production means working together from the very beginning to the very end. This ensures that the support offered is effective, valuable, and meets people’s actual needs.
Key Principles
• Partnership: An ongoing relationship between service users, carers, and professionals.
• Shared Power: We move beyond just “consultation.” In co-production, power is shared, and the voice of a service user is valued just as highly as any professional expert.
• Lived Experience: We believe that “experts by experience”—those who have actually used the services—are the best people to advise on how those services should work.
• Integrated Process: Users are involved in every step, from the first idea and design through to management and delivery.
How We Do It in Cambridge
The Cambridge Co-Production Group brings together people with experience of multiple disadvantage (such as homelessness, mental health challenges, or addiction) and practitioners from local services.
Our goal is to improve the quality of life for our community by changing systems for the better. We do this through:
• Shared Decision-Making: Open communication to find solutions that work for everyone.
• Amplify Voices: We amplify the voice of lived experience on a system level, working with organisations like the NHS and local authorities.
• Real Work: Participation involves attending meetings, conducting peer research, and co-designing strategies.
Why It Matters
Co-production is more than just volunteering; it is a chance to use your experience to make a difference.
• For the Community: It creates services that truly work for the people who need them.
• For You: Being an “expert by experience” builds confidence and capacity. It is a recognized commitment that can prepare you for future employment.