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Co-Production

Coproduction can mean different things to different people and to different sectors. At Sobus, we have been discussing with the local VCS what coproduction means to community organisations in Hammersmith and Fulham.

Coproduction is a way of working. It is about sharing decision-making spaces and creating opportunities for everyone to contribute meaningfully. This means giving equal value to knowledge from lived experience and to knowledge from professional experience. Coproduction starts with relationships based on mutual respect.

What it Means?

Taking different knowledge forms seriously.
Creating a safe space where people feel valued and have a voice.
Being clear and realistic about what you can and cannot do.
Listening to what service users and people with a stake

Coproduction needs to be collaborative and realistic. It is important that coproduction is not treated as a tick box exercise, and that it doesn’t turn into tokenism.

Coproduction can be powerful

Done well, coproduction can be powerful. It ensures spaces and conversations are accessible. It means services are shaped by the people using them. It demands that different voices and perspectives participate in equal partnership with service providers in the design and delivery of health services. This means that coproduction can give local communities ownership of the services they use.

How to coproduce something?

Working in a coproduced way likely means doing things differently. This could be inviting different people to get involved in the work, sharing more information, or meeting in a different location. It is essential that the people involved feel confident and prepared to participate in the work. By following practical steps to work in a coproduced way, an equitable space is created, where every voice carries weight and where decisions are truly shared.