In Scotland co-production is no longer just a ‘nice idea’ but a necessity to deal with increasing health inequalities (Sir Harry Burns) and changing demographics and expectations (Gerry Power). This book shows how and why Scotland has become one of the leaders in public service co-production – and how the lessons learnt so far can be applied more widely.

In includes an article from me, as well as foreword from Derek Feeley, NHS Scotland and Rory Mair, CoSLA

This is a new book published by the Joint Improvement Team  and Governance International in association with the Scottish Co-Production Network and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland.

Download it here

The national JIT conference - Coproduction and Community Capacity Building, took place last week in Edinburgh, where over 200 delegates came together to hear keynote speakers and co-production examples. You can follow some of the discussion from the day by using the event hashtag #coproduction13

See the News section for presentations and webcasts from the day

The next meeting of the network will be held in Stirling in the new Forth Valley College Campus on 26th March and will bring together practice based inputs from network members who will share their learning and host discussions. Inputs from:  Neighbourhood Networks, Young Scot, and the Stirling Co-production and Communtiy Capacity Building Project.

We'll also facilitate discussion around defining what co-production means for your practice, and identify priorites for the network.

Download the programme and register here if you would like to attend this meeting and practice exchange.

Many thanks,

Olivia

Thought some of you might be interested in an initiative from South Wales which I heard about at a recent conference. The Community Wellbeing Coaches project has been set up by Maria Ryan and Loran Relph www.communitywellbeingcoaches.com/  and is already having an impact...And Pam Luckock in North Wales is looking at the possibility of using time-banking to bring coaching to communities.

And at the policy end of the spectrum Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences have just relaunched their famous Policy Cafe events. These aim to bring together policy-makers, researchers, academics and professionals plus wine and cheese (suave eh!) to co-productively pool their experience and expertise and, hopefully, influence policy. The relaunch is on 26 February and the theme is co-production. I'll report back on any breakthrough insights (and/or on the quality of the wine).

Finally, Nick Johns of Cardiff University is starting an academic co-pro network in Wales. This was inspired by the IRISS / JIT relationship...we hope to share knowledge and resources across the disciplines, and start to disseminate research outcomes more widely and with louder trumpet blasts. Getting lights out from under bushels is the 2013 new year resolution.

Thanks to Scottish colleagues for continuing to inspire us...