These top tips were developed by the My Life Choices co‑production group and reflect their lived experience of co‑production. They include tips for people with lived experience who are thinking about getting involved, and for staff who invite and support people to take part.
Top tips for people with lived experience
- Know why you want to get involved. Think about what matters to you and why you want to take part. Choose a topic you are interested in.
- Think about your time and energy. Be realistic about how much time and energy you have. Make sure it fits with your life.
- It’s okay to listen at first. You do not have to speak in the first few meetings. It is fine to listen.
- Feeling unsure is normal. Many people feel nervous, unsure or like they don’t belong at first. This will improve with time.
- You have something valuable to offer. Your experiences and skills matter. Everyone brings something different.
- Prepare, but don’t worry. You may want to think about one thing you’d like to say. Sometimes there isn’t time to say everything, and that is ok.
- There are no silly questions. Meetings often use acronyms and words you don’t understand. It is ok to ask what things mean.
- Go with someone if you can. Having at least two people with lived experience helps. You can support each other, talk things through and learn from each other.
- Share only what you want to. You decide how much, if anything to share about your experience. some information discussed in meetings may be confidential.
- Look after yourself. Meetings can be tiring and emotional. Only attend and share when you feel able to.
- Change can take time. Co-production needs commitment and patience. Things may be slow, but progress does happen.
Top tips for staff working with people with lived experience
- Be welcoming and friendly. Help people feel comfortable and valued from the start.
- Be patient and kind. People may need time to get used to the group, the work, and how meetings run.
- Be clear before people attend. Explain what the meeting is about, what is expected, and what their role will be.
- Remember people may be new to the work. Do not assume people understand systems, processes, or language.
- Make it easy to take part. Avoid acronyms and jargon. Plan meetings so everyone has time to speak.
- Build relationships. Tell people what difference their involvement has made. Agree together what good communication looks like and take time to build trust.
- Provide the right support. Have support in place and plan for two people to attend together so they can support each other.
- Give information in good time. Send papers early and send reminders. This helps people prepare, especially carers.
- Be respectful and open. Do not make assumptions about what lived experience “looks like” or why people are involved.
- Listen without taking things personally. Feedback is about improving services, not criticising individuals.
- Use lived experience appropriately. If it isn’t co-production, do not call it co-production.
- Take people seriously. Capture what people say in meeting notes, check you have understood correctly, and allow space for feelings.
