NEWS
Genuine co-production: principles for inclusive partnership discussed
June’s Design in Mental Health 2024 conference saw a workshop led by our Lived Experience Advisory Panel explore building real co-production in mental health environments, writes DiMHN CEO, Hannah Chamberlain. Joined by Katharine Lazenby (ELFT NHS
Trust Expert by Experience lead), Cath Lake (P+HS Architects), and William Wang (architect and co-production specialist), the session explored creating meaningful collaboration that values each person’s voice and experience. Hannah Chamberlain explained: “We have
since refined these principles based on delegate feedback, and what follows is the final iteration of our collective work.”
1 – Setting up for success The first step to genuine co-production is recognising that people’s perspectives are shaped by unique experiences. Make space for everyone’s story, and involve people from all backgrounds from the start. When setting up a project: l Invite people with lived experience into decision-making from the outset, and be upfront about objectives and expectations.
l Record people’s input, provide feedback loops for them to review their contributions, and ensure that their voices remain authentically represented.
2 – Conducting inclusive workshops Effective workshops need clear communication, adaptability, and recognition that each participant may need different levels of support to engage fully. l Ensure the project budget acknowledges the importance of lived experience, covering participant support and fair compensation. Involving participants here validates their contributions,
strengthening their sense of agency.
l Breaking down biases: People with lived experience may communicate differently or feel less confident in traditional settings. Workshops should be ‘safe spaces’ where all feel comfortable expressing ideas.
3 – Facilitation and creating welcoming spaces
A strong facilitator, ideally with lived
experience, is invaluable for ensuring everyone is heard and respected. Creating a comfortable, inclusive environment – physically and emotionally – sets the tone for authentic engagement. l Space and accessibility: Opt for welcoming spaces with natural light, healthy snacks, breaks, and comfortable seating. Outdoor settings, like parks, can be inspiring alternatives.
l Start each session by breaking down
traditional roles, and use inclusive language. Make space for all kinds of experiences – professional, personal, and community-driven.
4 – Follow-up Honour contributions by following up post- workshop, offering feedback opportunities, and transparently communicating progress. l After each session, summarise the findings and send them to participants in their own words, with a chance to feed back.
l Acknowledge what actions will move forward, and explain any that won’t, via open and respectful dialogue.
The collective effort from this workshop helps pave the way for more inclusive, respectful co-production. These principles encourage everyone to bring their full selves to the table.
Chance to ‘make connections’ at the Belfry this month
Later this month, the DiMHN will be gathering again as a community with the Network’s partners at Stable Events, who will be again supporting the annual Mental Health and Dementia Forum (mhdf), taking place from 12-13 November at the Belfry Hotel, near Sutton Coldfield in Warwickshire. DiMHN CEO, Hannah Chamberlain,
said: “As we see at conference every year, the mental health built environment community is built on relationships, and we can benefit from learning from each other. Conference is a great time to see old
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friends and make new ones, but sometimes, a reminder that we don’t spend enough time together. We’re pleased to partner with the Mental Health and Dementia Forum, which goes some way towards addressing this, by ensuring that attendees – whether providers
or suppliers, benefit from quality time in one-to-ones, where there is an opportunity to catch up, share news, and talk about upcoming projects or products, and valuable potential collaborations. “Whatever your background in mental health or dementia, we hope you’ll have something to bring, and come away with useful insights and promising connections. The Design in Mental Health Network will be presenting on the connections that can be made, and the value of relationships – and we promise you an interactive experiment to prompt conversation and sharing of our collective passion for better mental health outcomes.” For more information on the event, visit
https://www.mhdf-forum.co.uk/
NOVEMBER 2024 | THE NETWORK
Courtesy of the Belfry Hotel
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