What is co-production?
Co-production is
about recognising the wide range of resources within our communities from those
provided by statutory partners to the resources of the citizen. It is about
delivering services with rather than for service-users, their families and
communities. Co-production regards the consumption and production of services
as inseparable. So individuals get involved in the planning, designing,
delivery and managing of community services.
It is not about
residents doing it for themselves. In fact it is the opposite- it is about the
combined contribution of both the individual, public sector and other
stakeholders. This requires a different type of involvement from statutory
partners not less involvement.
Why co-production?
When
people are involved there are 3 main benefits:
ü People’s health
improves not just from taking part in the activity but from being involved
in making it happen. For example, feeling useful and involved improves
confidence, reduces social isolation thus reducing mental ill-health.
ü People become more aware of how they can take responsibility for their own and
communities’ health.
ü More people
benefit from more local healthy living provision.
This leads
to:
ü
Local
activities and services becoming more responsive
to local needs and aspirations. People and communities are in the best
position to know what they need and how best to meet these.
ü
Improved
access, accountability and satisfaction
of services.
ü
Health needs
are met with fewer visits to healthcare providers, reducing reliance on
frontline services.
Making it happen…
Healthy Me Healthy Communities has a range
of exciting and supportive products to explore co-production and build
resident’s involvement in the services and improvements they want to see.
The HMHC products offer a 'skills
escalator.' Participants start at a point that they feel comfortable in using
their existing skills and experience. The supportive and challenging programmes
help people and communities to play a part in co-producing the community
services they want.
Start with the ‘Real Life Research’
programme- a great way for exploring co-production.
