By Sui Ling and Nicola Payne
The Best Practice team has been busy, and we want to make sure everyone across MacIntyre understands what we’re working on, how we’re working, and where we’ll need support. Good communication is key, so we’re sharing our updates in lots of different ways. Bit by bit, we’ll make our way around the organisation to hear from different perspectives, both in person and online.
A group we were especially keen to spend time with was our Area Managers. We knew they’d play a big part in shaping this work locally, so we were thrilled to get a spot on their agenda.
Sui Ling and Paul sat down together to plan the session. They didn’t want it to be a one-way conversation; they wanted people to feel involved, relaxed and ready to talk, and got creative, as always.
With just one hour together, they packed in plenty:
- Sui Ling’s Chat Show Cards – a gentle way to help everyone feel comfortable and hear different voices in the room
- Perfect Day Activity – a chance for people to think about what a good day looks like for them
- Self-Advocacy Pack – a first look at the new resource, with a goodie bag full of tools to help set up a local self-advocacy group
- Time for questions and reflections – no rushing, just honest conversations
- Visual scribing – with Paul capturing thoughts and ideas through drawings as the session unfolded
Hearing from Sui Ling
Here’s how Sui Ling described the day and why working together matters so much:
“I was happy and excited to be at the managers’ meeting and see everyone. It was important for me to talk about the Innovation Hub and show the packs, so staff could take them back and share them with their teams. We all need to understand what we’re doing!
I liked asking my chat show cards and hearing everyone’s answers. I also enjoyed the Perfect Day activity and listening to people share their ideas.
Co-production means speaking up with others and having your voice heard. It means setting up my voice across MacIntyre.
When I work with other people, it’s fun and we have a laugh. We work very hard.
It’s important to include people because we want more people involved in the Innovation Hub. We need staff to be engaged, which helps more people take part.”
What happens next?
Support Co-Production on Tour
We asked managers to chat with their teams and help fill the Co-Production on Tour dates across Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, London and Hertfordshire.
Complete the survey
We’re gathering a baseline of understanding across MacIntyre. The more responses we receive, the clearer the picture becomes.
Stay connected
We promised to keep in touch and if managers need anything, they can reach out to any of us at any time.
Look ahead to 2026 and beyond
This work continues to grow, and we’ll be sharing more as we go.
Please keep an eye out for more stories, next steps and exciting updates from the team.
