Co-production Week Scotland 2024 - roundup of events and resources

The Co-production Guide

To kick off the week, we launched our new Co-production Guide - which was developed from network members’ ideas to help define, deliver and embed co-production.

The focus of this guide is to help a range of people do co-production better and to help embed co-production processes in the work and systems of those organisations that are involved in designing and delivering services for individuals, families and communities.

It is also intended to help people identify what co-production is (and isn’t) and what it looks like in a range of different contexts.

Co-production is a process which involves people in working with others in a mutual, trusting and purposeful manner. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should be as good as it can be, and we should always be seeking to improve. This guide aims to help people do just that, developing and improving their practice as individuals as well as within their organisations and structures.

Events

Co-pro Week Learning Event 2024:
How do we embed co-production across Scotland?

More than 40 network members came together to explore how we can meaningfully embed co-production into how services and support are delivered across the country.

We heard from insightful speakers and had some fascinating discussion, with network members bringing their ideas and perspectives.

We heard from Doreen Grove, Head of Open Government, Scottish Government, on how policy and co-production interact, and from Anne-Marie Barry, Participation and Engagement Lead, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, who described how CHSS have embedded co-production across the organisation.

Watch the a video of both presentations, and read our breakout room discussion reflections.

Community Knowledge Matters: Community of Practice exploring the role of reflection within co-production

The Community Knowledge Matters network opened up their Community of Practice session to the co-pro folks, where the discussion centred around the role of reflection within co-production and its impact on community-led research.

Celebrate Co-production Week Scotland with East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership!

East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership held three online learning events to share information and resources about co-production and highlight the great co-pro work happening in the area.

Using Human Learning Systems in Co-Production Practice

Human Learning Systems (HLS) offers a relational and learning-focussed way of working with the complex reality of people’s lives to support them to flourish. This interactive online workshop, hosted by ThemPra Social Pedagogy CIC, introduced HLS and explored how co-production practice fits with Human Learning Systems, and gave some useful ideas you can add into your practice.

Resources, blogs and examples

Blog: So, where to begin with ‘embedding’ co-production?

In this blog, David Allan from the SCN team explores the challenges, and possible solutions, of taking co-production from something individuals do to a broader, organisational process.

Blog: Open Government - how we are supporting co-production principles

In this blog, Finlay McCartney from the Scottish Government’s Open Government team discusses how the Open Government Partnership can support co-production.

Co-pro conversation: Building trust through relationship-based practice

In this short video, David chats to Amy Watson from the Scottish Government about how co-production is making an impact in policy terms. Amy highlights some of the key work areas which have used co-productive approaches to highlight the value of lived experience around people with dementia, as well as children and young people.

Blog: Facing the challenges of co-production in difficult times

In this blog, Sam from the SCN team explores some of the challenges we're facing around co-production - and the key questions to consider.

Blog: Exploring the value and valuing of research co-production in Scotland

In this blog, Helen Berry discusses her research at the Binks Hub which explores research co-production and in particular, how different people and organisations come to value co-production and co-producing of research.

Co-Production in video and animation: what you need to know

Co-producing animations and videos with service-users is more than just a trend; it’s a meaningful approach to storytelling that prioritises authenticity, inclusivity, and empowerment.

This blog from media co-op is a close-up on co-pro, looking at co-production in film and animation and what it means in practice.

Forces Life board game and comic book

Co-developed by Forces Children Scotland with young people from armed forces and veteran families, the Forces Life board game and comic book aims to help civilian audiences to better understand what it’s like to be a forces child. The young people involved in the project have created special gaming cards to share lived experiences and to introduce a fun-based point-scoring system and co-developed five short stories in the comic book, which includes topics like parental deployment, postings, relocations, and new schools.

All in for Glasgow resources

All in for Glasgow is co-designing support services for people in the city affected by homelessness during the cost of living crisis and beyond. The programme has brought commissioners, service providers and people with direct experience of homelessness together as a service design team.

Read about the project’s work so far - one highlight is this blog where a member of the team talks about what it means to him to be involved in the programme.

Just the Right Space - a co-designed website

The Just The Right Space website was was co-created and produced by the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) with young people who have lived experience of the justice and care systems. The website offers information and advice about the criminal justice system and what to expect, children’s rights, stories shared by those with experience of the justice and care systems, and places/groups that can offer further support.

Challenging Assumptions Around Dementia: User-led Research and Untold Stories

The Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network is helping to connect people living with dementia and neuroprogressive diseases with cutting-edge research and share their stories.

This downloadable book was co-written and produced by a partnership of people with lived experience of dementia, academics, researchers, and clinicians to raise awareness, reflect on positive and negative experiences, and share hopes for future work and research.

Fife Voluntary Action - Together for Change project resources

Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) have recently launched resources from their Together for Change project, a co-production project that aimed to capture and understand the experiences of children, young people, and families in Fife. By using a co-productive approach, the views and experiences of children, young people and families become central to system transformation and the future funding of children’s services, leading to better outcomes and service experiences.

Scottish Recovery Network - Creating Hope with Peer Support

The Scottish Recovery Network work with groups, organisations and services to co-deliver Creating Hope with Peer Support workshops to their peer workers, volunteers and and supporters. The Creating Hope with Peer Support project provides spaces where the voices of lived experience are recognised and valued, and people, organisations and services to come together to connect and share learning around suicide prevention.