Recently we spent some time with a co-production working group supported by Best Practice Facilitator Paul Payne.
The group has started meeting to think about a project they want to create together with the Best Practice team. It could become a booklet, an easy read guide, or perhaps a short film. For now, the focus is simply on talking together and deciding what matters most to them.
The room was full of conversation and laughter, but still gave people the opportunity to pause and reflect and for everyone to be heard.
Paul opened with a question:
“What are we going to decide as a group?”
The conversation moved naturally towards the things that shape people’s everyday lives.
People spoke about family; About relationships and friendships, hobbies and the things they enjoy doing; About where they live and how they get around.
And about the staff who support them.
One person said:
“If we didn’t have staff, we wouldn’t be able to live our lives.”
A comment which reinforces how important the right support can be in helping people live the lives they choose.
What it means to have a voice
Later in the session the group explored a different question - what would it feel like if someone didn’t have a voice in their own life.
People took a moment before sharing their thoughts.
“It feels lonely.”
“Someone else would make all the decisions without listening to me.”
“You’d be ignored.”
“You’d lose part of your identity.”
Others talked about how it might make someone feel hurt or disappointed. One person spoke about anxiety, explaining that not being able to say what you need could affect how you feel emotionally as well as physically.
Another person said that being able to talk to someone and be listened to can make those feelings easier.
These conversations are helping the group shape the project they want to work on together over the coming weeks.
They’ll look at the resources the Best Practice team already use, talk about what works well, and share what might need to change. The group will also think about what information could help others understand these experiences better.
One idea already starting to take shape is a short film where people talk about families and relationships, something the group agreed is one of the most important parts of their lives.
For now, the group is continuing to meet, share ideas and decide together what comes next.
