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Coproduction Corner: making policy recommendations July 2024

On 12th July 2024, people involved in Southampton Coproduction Corner over the last year are coming together to explore policy recommendations based on our work together so far. Book here: https://forms.office.com/e/yTVnJJ0Q23

There will be about 10 people in the room. We will explore policy recommendations based on Southampton Coproduction Corner’s work so far. We will start as one group, then we may divide off into smaller groups to chat. We will record the session (assuming everyone gives consent), so we can analyise what happened. The recording will not be shared beyond the project team.

In preparation for this, information gathered through our previous workshops and discussions have been incorporated into these documents, which will be available for you to look at on the day (feel free to read in advance):

The session will explore the following questions:

Q1 What makes good coproduction? Together we will review the documents shared above, which collates the ideas and concepts raised and explored previously in our coproduction sessions. Does the information make sense? Does it reflect the key components of coproduction? Is anything missing? We will include a quiet section as part of this, so that we have time to read and think.

Q2 What are our 4-6 priority recommendations for policy-makers?

We will start by having a think about what policy makers are interested in. This may include:

  • TRUST – the importance to policy-makers and politicians of building trusted relationships with communities;
  • BEING POSITIVE – the importance of connecting with activity that feels positive (not just about criticism or what is going wrong for people);
  • BEING INCLUSIVE AND RELEVANT – that engagement with communities feels inclusive, not exclusive, and feels relevant to citizens;
  • SHARED – that successful coproduction would feel like a shared endeavour, so members of the community would say: “If this is done well, we will champion the priorities and be vocal about it. We will be part of delivering the change”
  • STORIES – the importance of stories and quotes from local people to communicate why all this matters.

We will then explore areas of potential recommendation that have been emerging from the last year’s work, which may include:

(1) MAKING COPRODUCTION MEANINGFUL – Creating a framework for meaningful coproduction, including ensuring welcome, safe and brave spaces for inclusive conversations and shared decision-making  (see the above documents);

(2) PLANNING COPRODUCTION WORK – What commissioners, policy makers and others need to consider when planning coproduced work;

(3) MONEY – How money is spent and allocated on coproduced projects;

(4) ETHICS – Embedding ethics into coproduced work, to make sure everyone is kept safe and feels respected; and

(5) EXPECTATIONS – Setting expectations for the future, especially given short term funding for projects and limited resources.

(6) CONTINUATION – Working together to deliver and benefit from Southampton Coproduction Corner.

Q3 What is our definition of coproduction? Based on Q1, do we want to refine our definition? So far, we have been working on the working definition of “Coproduction is all about working together as equals to develop policy and design / deliver services.” Co-production Collective describes it as follows: “Co-production is an approach to working together in equal partnership and for equal benefit.”

Q4 What are you going to do after this? A chance for you to respond to what you have heard today.

At the end of this session, we hope to have a clear policy approach, which we will then put into a report and share with local policy makers and others who are interested in coproduction.

Finally, we would really appreciate your feedback on this and other sessions.

If this is of interest to you, please contact Rebecca Kinge from Southampton Voluntary Services.

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