Trish's blog

Hi, I'm Trish, and I'm the Facilitator for the Making it Real Board. My role is to support and guide the Board in championing co-production across Norfolk.

I help ensure that people with lived experience are at the heart of shaping services, and that their voices are heard, valued, and acted upon. I work closely with members, partners, and internal teams to promote meaningful collaboration and drive positive change.

The Making it Real Board is made up of disabled people and unpaid carers from across Norfolk. Each member represents a wider group of disabled people or carers, bringing their voices, experiences, and perspectives to the table. The Board plays a vital role in shaping and influencing services by ensuring that lived experience is at the heart of decision-making and co-production.

Key challenges in co-production

1. Time and resource constraints. Co-production takes time—time to build relationships, plan collaboratively, and ensure everyone is included. Many organisations struggle to allocate enough time, staff, or funding to do it properly.
2. Lack of trust and strong relationships. Trust is essential. If people with lived experience feel they're not genuinely being listened to — or if professionals feel uncertain about sharing power — co-production can break down. Building trust takes consistency, openness, and time.
3. Burnout. Both professionals and people with lived experience can experience burnout. For those with lived experience, especially unpaid carers or disabled people, the emotional and physical toll of repeated engagement without visible change can be exhausting.
4. Lack of engagement. Sometimes, the right people aren't in the room. Barriers like accessibility, digital exclusion, or lack of confidence can prevent people from getting involved. Others may feel disillusioned if past experiences of engagement didn't lead to real change.
5. Tokenism. Co-production can sometimes be treated as a tick-box exercise. When people are invited to participate but their input isn't genuinely valued or acted upon, it undermines the whole process.
6. Power imbalances. Shifting power from professionals to people with lived experience is at the heart of co-production — but it's not always easy. It requires a cultural shift and a willingness to let go of control.

Top tips for co-production

1. Start early. Involve people with lived experience from the very beginning — not just after decisions have been made.
2. Build trust. Take time to develop honest, respectful relationships. Be transparent about what can and can't be changed.
3. Be clear about roles. Make sure everyone understands their role and how their input will be used. Avoid jargon and be open to questions.
4. Share power. Create a space where everyone's voice is equal. Be willing to let go of control and genuinely listen.
5. Make it accessible. Think about physical, sensory, and digital accessibility. Provide information in different formats and offer support where needed.
6. Value lived experience. Recognise that people with lived experience are experts in their own right. Pay them for their time and contributions where possible.
7. Be flexible. Co-production isn't one-size-fits-all. Adapt your approach based on the people involved and the context.
8. Communicate regularly. Keep everyone updated. Let people know how their input is being used and what's happening next.
9. Reflect and learn. Take time to reflect on what's working and what isn't. Be open to feedback and willing to change course.
10. Celebrate successes. Acknowledge and celebrate the impact of co-production — big or small. It helps build momentum and motivation.

Plans for the coming year - Making it Real Board

1. Strengthening co-production across Norfolk. We aim to deepen our partnerships with internal teams and community groups to embed co-production more consistently across services. This includes offering more support and guidance to teams new to co-production.
2. Expanding representation. We plan to reach out to underrepresented communities to ensure the Board reflects the full diversity of Norfolk's disabled people and unpaid carers.
3. Training and development. We'll be offering more training opportunities for Board members and professionals to build confidence, skills, and shared understanding around co-production.
4. Improving communication and feedback loops. We want to make it easier for Board members to share updates with the groups they represent — and to bring feedback back to the Board. This includes exploring new tools or formats for communication.
5. Celebrating impact. We'll be highlighting and sharing success stories where co-production has made a real difference, to inspire others and show what's possible when we work together.
6. Reviewing and refreshing our Terms of Reference. To make sure our ways of working are still relevant and inclusive, we'll be reviewing our Terms of Reference with all members.

What I'm most passionate about

I'm deeply passionate about ensuring that people with lived experience — disabled people and unpaid carers — are genuinely heard, valued, and involved in shaping the services they use.

Co-production isn't just a process; it's a mindset that respects people's expertise and puts their voices at the centre of decision-making.

What I hope Norfolk County Council can improve

I hope Norfolk County Council continues to grow in its commitment to co-production by:

• Embedding it as standard practice across all departments, not just in adult social care.
• Investing in time and resources to support meaningful engagement, not just consultation.
• Building stronger, more trusting relationships between professionals and communities.
• Recognising and valuing lived experience as equal to professional expertise.
• Creating more accessible and inclusive spaces — both physical and digital — for people to participate fully.