There’s a buzz in the air at the Trust.
It’s a feeling we’re more than accustomed to. Whether we’re giving or receiving person-centred support, we make buzzing our business. But the current hum has more of a ‘hive vibe,’ and it’s coming from our shift towards co-production – a buzzword for designing and evaluating services ‘with’ the people who use them, not ‘for’ them.
Why is this happening?
For too long, social care organisations have developed support services without genuinely consulting the people who use them. Not only is this oversight a human rights issue – wouldn’t you expect to shape a service you rely on? – it’s also short sighted for business sustainability.
So what’s changed?
For the past year, beyond steering their support, our individuals have been working alongside staff to review processes, shape policy and speak up on Board matters. Without doubt, we better meet the needs and wishes of our individuals as a result. And without doubt it’s challenging us to listen, learn, reflect and grow.
Listening
When the Equal Voices group was formed to focus on Board matters, one of its first decisions was to ban the use of buzzwords because language should open doors, not close them. As Stuart said, if we’re really ‘doing things together’ we need staff and Trustees to be able to ‘speak plainly about things.’
Now, in every co-production group, there are buzzers on the table. If anyone uses language that feels exclusive or unclear, members hit the buzzer. It’s a small action with a big impact – reminding us in real time that every voice matters.
This simple practice has sparked wider conversations about how we communicate as an organisation and adopting plain, inclusive language is creating space for fresh ideas.
Reflecting
Even with the best of intentions, the language we use can create barriers. This became clear when we invited an independent advocate to join us at Equal Voices. She encouraged our ‘individuals to always frame themselves as customers when thinking about how well the Trust meets their needs.’
The close relationships that develop between individuals and support staff can have unintended consequences too. In a recent meeting of the Policy Group, Janet stressed that all individuals should know the Trust values, as they can be used to guide tricky conversations.
‘It can be difficult to say things sometimes. You don’t want to hurt the person’s feelings.’
Reflecting on such insights has shaped strategies to strengthen advocacy and bring lived experience into auditing.
Learning
‘Doing things together’ has created more space for those who want to, to take the lead.
Last year, Jigsaw Representatives, Beth and Anthony, returned from an Active Citizenship conference buzzing to share their learning. Together, they co-delivered sessions on the 7 keys to citizenship – purpose, love, help, money, home, community, freedom – inspiring fellow group members to reflect on what founder Simon Duffy describes as the keys to a meaningful a life.
Now, Anthony and Beth are set to work alongside our co-production staff to embed Active Citizenship throughout the organisation. On leading this initiative, Beth said,
‘I like taking the lead…we are part of a team… it’s about developing skills, being ourselves, being confident, being proud and talking together to achieve our goals.’
For Anthony,
‘it’s important that everyone knows what is out there, so that people have the choice to make changes or decisions in their life.’
Growing Together
Beyond supporting our individual’s personal growth, this steer is set to have wider impact. Active Citizenship strengthens community connections and embodies social responsibility—qualities that attract ‘customers’, staff, funding, and partnership opportunities.
And the positive effect of co-production groups on support workers hasn’t gone unnoticed. As Carol told us, groups like Jigsaw are,
‘invaluable for support workers to engage and connect with the wider organisation. We are able to have our voices heard on proposals, issues, problems and take the learning back to our support areas. We are busy actively supporting at other times! ’
Hive Vibe
In a climate of chronic underfunding, staff shortages and escalating demand, without doubt co-production can be challenging. Care organisations are under pressure to make quick, cost effective decisions. Co-production requires time, resources, a degree of vulnerability and the willingness to share control.
At the Trust we’re making co-production more than just a buzzword. ‘Doing things together’ is our forward plan and we’re already reaping the rewards: stronger services, genuine inclusion and ‘hive vibe.’
It’s this ‘hive vibe’ that drives social change, sustains organisations and can mend broken care systems.
Challenging ourselves and others to provide choice and opportunity for adults with learning disabilities.