Our Lived Experience and Involvement Coordinator, Chris Brown, shares his unique perspective on the importance of co-production. This is the process of involving the people we support in the decisions that are made about the care they receive and the wider support system around them.
How I came to work in a co-production role
For many years, decisions about my life were made in rooms where I wasn’t present. Today, I find myself sitting in those same kinds of rooms, helping to shape services for people who are going through experiences similar to those I once faced.
That change didn’t happen overnight. My journey through mental health services lasted many years, including a long period in hospital. During that time, I often felt that important decisions were being made around me rather than with me. Like many people in that position, what I wanted most was simple: to be heard.
Over time, something important changed. Through involvement work and opportunities to contribute my lived experience, I discovered that being listened to can create a powerful sense of purpose and connection. It showed me that the things I had been through could still have value if they helped improve services for others.
But involvement also taught me something important about myself.
At first, I thought I had things figured out. I had strong views about what needed to change, and I wanted people to listen. What I hadn’t fully appreciated yet was how important it is to listen to others as well.
Learning to work in co-production helped me understand that real progress comes from listening in both directions. Staff bring their professional knowledge and experience. Supporters and organisations bring resources and commitment. And people who have used services bring insight into what it actually feels like to receive support.
When those perspectives come together, better ideas emerge.
How co-production works in practice at Response
At Response, co-production means creating opportunities for people with lived experience to contribute in meaningful ways. One of the ways we do this is through our Expert by Experience training, which helps people develop the confidence and skills to use their experiences constructively to inform services.
Those trained Experts by Experience then have opportunities to be involved in a range of activities. For example, they can take part in interview panels, helping to recruit staff who understand the importance of person-centred support. Having people with lived experience involved in those conversations helps ensure that the values of our services are reflected in the people who join our teams.
Another important part of this work is the Advisory Board, which brings together people with lived experience to share insights and feedback. The board helps inform discussions that reach our executive leadership, ensuring that the perspectives of people who use services are part of shaping decisions.
Sometimes the impact of this work shows itself in simple moments.
Not long ago I was speaking with someone who was currently an inpatient. They asked me what I was doing these days, and I mentioned that I now work for Response. They immediately replied, “So does [name of a person we support].”
That person had recently completed the Expert by Experience training.
What struck me in that moment was the pride in their voice. They recognised that someone they knew was contributing to services and had a role within the organisation. It was a small moment, but it reminded me how important identity and belonging can be. Involvement doesn’t just improve services; it can also help people rediscover a sense of purpose and pride in who they are.
Looking ahead, part of my role will involve supporting Experts by Experience to become more involved in the work we do. That includes helping people attend events, contribute to discussions, and take part in speaking opportunities where their voices can help shape how services develop.
For me personally, involvement has also been part of my own recovery. Having a role where I can contribute, listen, and support others has given me a sense of purpose that once felt impossible. Many years ago, I was told that working again might not be realistic for me. Today, I am involved in conversations that influence services and help ensure that people who use them have a voice.
The real value of co-production
One of the most rewarding parts of this work is listening to the people I now support. Everyone has their own experiences, insights, and ideas. When people feel genuinely listened to, something often changes. Conversations become more open, trust begins to grow, and people start to see that their perspective matters.
That is the real value of co-production.
It is not just about improving services, although it certainly helps with that. It is also about creating a culture where people feel respected, valued, and able to contribute to something bigger than themselves.
For me, the journey has come full circle. I once wanted services to listen to people like me. Through involvement and co-production, I have learned how important it is that we all learn to listen to each other.
When that happens, services become stronger and recovery becomes something we build together.
Chris Brown, Lived Experience and Involvement Coordinator