Supported by Participation People, a voluntary organisation, the aim of the participation strategy is to ensure that the voice of lived experience is embedded in decision making, service development and delivery.
At the meeting in the summer and follow-up workshops, representatives from across the Provider Collaborative shared examples of how they are currently applying participation and co-production principles. A stakeholder map was created to ensure that all key people and organisations are involved in the development of the strategy. ‘Success visions’ were created to describe what the best version of the participation strategy would look like.
To gather data and insight, Participation People have also met with staff from each of the providers and experts by experience, and a survey was sent to young people, families and carers and staff.
Informed by the insight, the draft strategy, which is being co-designed with staff, young people and families, will be shared with stakeholders by January 2026.
Sam, an expert by experience who attended one of the workshops, said: “It was a space for everyone to speak as part of the information gathering stage of the project and it felt like a really informal but productive day.
“This is only the beginning of this new participation strategy so it is quite exciting to see the scope it could have, and we came away from the day with actions for everyone involved to ensure the development is successful.”
