Raising Our Voice: The Co-Production Advisory Group at the Academic Seminar on Linking Knowledge(s) in Social Care Research and Practice

Recently, Ann Marie Penman and Deena Nimick from our Co-production Advisory Group participated in the academic seminar Linking Knowledge(s) in Social Care Research and Practice. The event brought together individuals with lived experience, practitioners, and academics to explore how various types of knowledge can contribute to improving adult social care. While social care practitioners have valuable knowledge and expertise, opportunities to bridge the gap between research and practice, and to encourage reflection and collaboration, can feel restricted.

The seminar focused on the role of practitioner, as well as researchers and their understanding of social care, which in turn helps to improve services. By bringing together diverse types of knowledge and evidence, the event aimed to encourage progress in social care research and practice. Speakers at the seminar included: Kirsty Haunch, Researcher at the University of Leeds; Elaine James, Head of Service at Bradford Metropolitan District Council; Obert Tawodzera, Project Officer at IMPACT.

Ann Marie Penman, a member of IMPACT’s Co-production Advisory Group, brought her personal experiences as a carer and her passion for inclusive and equitable social care. With a commitment to amplifying the voices of those with lived experience, she works to ensure that co-production values – like listening, sharing power, and building trust – are at the heart of decision-making. Her insights draw on her involvement in various initiatives focused on creating meaningful change in adult social care.

Below are her reflections on the event and more broadly, on co-production.

Talking About Our Work

We were delighted to share the work of the Co-production Advisory Group and highlight IMPACT’s commitment to co-production. Our group includes 10 members from across the four nations, each of us bringing a unique perspective: unpaid carers advocating for better support, disabled people sharing their lived experiences, and parents of children with additional needs fighting for equal opportunities. Despite our different backgrounds, we share a determination to make adult social care fairer, more inclusive, and most importantly focused on helping people live good lives. 

Co-production isn’t just what we do – it’s how we try and work. That means listening to everyone, sharing power and building trust. Working this way guides our decision making. By respecting each other’s views, making sure everyone has a chance to speak, and creating a space where people feel safe to share their ideas, we’re able to make sure the voices of people with real experience are heard.

Learning from Lived Experience

A highlight of the seminar for me was hearing Elaine James’ reflections on co-production. She described it as a process that can feel “messy,” with its mix of different views, competing needs, and challenges.

This idea of “messiness” resonates deeply with me. Co-production isn’t quick or easy, but it’s powerful because it takes time and effort. By accepting this, we can find solutions that reflect everyone’s needs and hopes. There is always a risk of confusion between co-production and other forms of collaboration, and we don’t always get it right, but that’s part of the process. Elaine’s reflections reminded me of the importance of staying committed, even when the process is hard. Through listening, sharing power and building strong relationships, meaningful results can still be achieved.

The Importance of Listening

Listening is not just about hearing what people say, but understanding their experiences and needs. When we listen well, we build trust and show respect. It helps make sure everyone’s voice is heard in decisions. When people feel listened to, they’re more likely to share ideas and spot problems that might be missed. If we don’t listen properly, people may feel left out or frustrated. Open talks and making sure everyone is included helps make co-production work.

Sharing Power in Co-Production

Co-production works best when everyone is treated as equals and equally involved. If one person takes too much control or power isn’t shared, others can feel left out or unimportant. This can damage trust and make the process less effective. When power is shared, trust grows, relationships deepen, and decisions become both fairer and more effective.

In co-production, everyone should be supported to work together towards common goals and make decisions as a team. Everyone has something important to offer, whether through their personal experiences, professional knowledge, or special skills.

Co-production isn’t necessarily about making decisions quickly – it’s about making them meaningfully.

The Importance of Relationships

Trust, respect, and clear communication help people work well together. Whether it’s people with lived experience, practitioners, or academics, building relationships is what allows co-production to succeed.

Rushed decisions or leaving people out of the process risk breaking trust and undermining the work. Taking the time to involve everyone builds stronger connections and ensures that decisions truly reflect co-production values.

What Co-Production Is and Isn’t

Co-production is often confused with other ways of working together, like consultation, collaboration, or democracy. In consultation, people share their opinions, but the final decisions are made by others. Collaboration means working together, but power isn’t always shared equally. Democracy is about majority rule – where the most votes win. Co-production, on the other hand, is about sharing power equally, making sure everyone’s voice is heard, and finding solutions that work for everyone.

Co-production can be challenging and the process only works when power is shared fairly. When some voices are ignored or when one person takes too much control, it can lead to frustration and a break down in those trusting relationships. If things go wrong, it’s important to pause, reflect on what happened, and make adjustments. By listening again and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, trust can hopefully be rebuilt and the process can move forward.

A Final Thought

Co-production is about working together, even when it’s hard; the ‘messiness’ of co-production can make it stronger because it brings different ideas together. From my point of view, being part of the Co-production Advisory Group has shown me how important it is to listen, share power, and build strong relationships. As a group, we’ve seen how these things can help create better services that meet everyone’s needs. Moving forward, I hope we can continue learning, adapting, and listening to people’s real experiences to ensure we get it right!