Event showcases positive work around co-production

30 October 2026

“Being involved in co-production means I am listened to, and I make a difference, so that others might not have to go through what I did.”

That was just one of the powerful messages that were shared during a special event held in Corby this week celebrating how people across North Northamptonshire are using their personal life experience to shape and enhance services for others.

The Co-production Showcase, hosted by North Northamptonshire Council at The Cube on Thursday 29 October, saw people from all walks of life come together to celebrate ‘co-production’, as well as hear from experts by experience.

‘Co-production’ is a way of working where people can work together as equals to create services that work for everyone. 

As part of this, experts by experience with first-hand lived experience of using health, mental health, social care, or public services, work with the council – and its partners – to help review policies, strategies, and pathways, and suggest ideas for improvements. 

The showcase event, attended by approximately 65 people, saw presentations from a number of experts by experience who shared their powerful and personal journeys and explained why being involved in helping shape services is so important to them.

One speaker said: “The voices of people with real experience matter”, with another saying: “Being involved with co-production gets me out of bed in the morning because I know I am making a difference.”

One speaker said: “When I realised I was losing my sight, I thought I might not be able to contribute, but being involved with co-production means my opinion is valued,” and another expert by experience said: “If you get involved, you’ll find kindness, you’ll find a road; we all have different experiences, and they are all valued.”

The event also included break-out table discussions focused on such topics as how to support carers, how to find new experts by experience, and how to improve accessibility to services.

The showcase concluded with a powerful poem entitled ‘A Common Course’ written and performed by visually-impaired expert by experience Carl Peach. 

This showcase was a powerful reminder of the difference co-production can make when people are given the opportunity to share their experiences and help shape services. It was incredibly moving to hear the personal journeys of our experts by experience and how their insight, resilience and determination are helping to improve outcomes for others across North Northamptonshire. The stories we heard demonstrated that lived experience is invaluable. By working together as equals, we can design services that are more responsive, inclusive and effective for the people who use them.Cllr Chris Kellett, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Adults and Health Partnerships

Through working with the council, experts by experience have got involved with helping shape the co-production offer, Mental Health Strategy, Carer Strategy, and taken part in website testing, as well as helped recruit council managers, and train staff.

Last year, the council launched its Together for Care - Lived Experience Forum to bring people together with a shared goal of improving services, and bringing about meaningful change in Adult Social Care. The monthly forum offers a relaxed and inclusive space where the voices of those with lived experience will be heard and listened to. 

I would like to thank everyone who shared their experiences so openly and honestly. If you have lived experience of health, care or public services and want to make a positive difference in your community, I would strongly encourage you to get involved. Your voice matters, your experiences matter, and you can help shape the future of services for local people.Cllr Kellett

Could you be an expert by experience? The council is encouraging anyone who would like to get involved and help shape future services, as well as enjoy the social aspects of meeting new people, to get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Find out more about Co-production and watch a video presented by experts by experience on the council’s website.