Blog: Welcome to Co-production Week Scotland 2020!

Susan Paxton, SCN Manager, kicks off Co-pro Week 2020.

As we kick off the fifth annual Co-pro Week we're excited to be hearing, as usual, from members of the Scottish Co-production Network about their experiences of co-pro. We've got loads of events, blogs and videos in store and will be sharing them with you throughout the week.

This year we're also thrilled to be able to work with the great team from the Co-production Network for Wales who have a whole host of events and online activity planned. It's a great opportunity for mutual learning, helping us to all understand the common challenges and opportunities we face as we develop co-production through our work. 

Co-production Week looks different this year, just like so many things right now. The pandemic has brought huge changes to the way we work and come together, challenging what we all think of as 'normal'. 

New normal

For co-production, it's highlighted just how important face-to-face conversations are, just how much value we can get from quick chats over coffee, and the difficulties of building relationships through a screen. We've had to learn very quickly how to do things in a different way.

What's clear, however, is how well we're managing to adapt. While we can't replicate every part of meeting face-to-face, we're hearing great examples of people and organisations coming together online to continue building those relationships, breaking down barriers and empowering each other to achieve positive change. 

It's easy to forget that we've only been working in this way for months, not years, and yet we're seeing how adaptable and positive people are in the face of constant pressures from work, home and world events.

While we're doing things differently, the values and principles of co-production have endured, highlighting just how central they are to our work. 

Looking ahead

So as we kick off Co-pro Week 2020 it's worth thinking back to the Network's Vision for Co-production. Developed by network members, it acts as a reminder of what we're trying to achieve through co-production and, whether online or in-person, the importance of putting those values and principles into action.

"Our vision for co-production in Scotland is that all people are valued and supported to meaningfully participate in shaping and delivering services, building and strengthening their communities, and creating change.”

We hope you enjoy the week.

Susan