Tuesday 9 November 2021
Our Journey To Change sets out why we do what we do, the kind of organisation we want to become and the way we will get there by living our values, respect, compassion and responsibility, all of the time. A really key part of Our Journey To Change is our commitment to co-creation – working together with people in our care, families and carers, partners and our colleagues.
“Have you ever been in a situation where you heard yourself volunteering for something before your brain realised what you were doing? Me too! As I left the meeting, I realised that I’d just volunteered to write a blog about co-creation. It was a definite ‘aaaggghhh moment’. But, the more I reflected (I am a massive reflector), the more I realised that this was something I wanted to do. So here goes….
“As an Involvement Member I’ve been lucky enough to take part in a huge range of things with TEWV over the last year. Some have been great and others, if I’m honest, not so great. There have been moments where I know I’ve added real value and others where I feel I’m there as the token ‘carer’. So when I saw an opportunity to be involved in the Co-Creation working party I jumped at the chance – and I’ve not been disappointed. Unsurprisingly the project models exactly why co-creation is such an important strategy. Being involved in the working party has reminded me of what a brilliant way of working co-creation is. As I reflected (there’s that word again!) I realised that it is a principle I’ve followed for the whole of my career, and certainly an approach that’s served me well.
Co-creation is so much more than a word.
Jackie
“In my corporate life I never professed to have all the answers (nor would I want to), but as a collective I knew that my team could come up with most of them – but not all. Their input and voice were just as important as mine in deciding the route that the team should take and how we should work. But of course we were in the midst of things and, very often, when you are in the middle of something, you can’t see the woods for the trees. So I’ve needed to go wider.
“I’ve sought the input of others in similar teams (I’m not one for reinventing a wheel if someone has a perfectly good wheel I can copy or adapt); of those who feed into the team or who have to implement the things we put in place (what is it really like working with us and can they see ways that we can do things better?); and of course of our customers – they were the ones that truly knew what our service was like. So, how does all of this apply to TEWV and the work that the Co-creation team are doing?
“Interestingly I was at a meeting recently where co-creation was being discussed. The conversation turned to language and if co-creation was actually the right word? What does it actually mean anyway?!? Then someone said – let’s not overcomplicate things, it’s just about working together and valuing everyone’s input. Yes! Yes! Yes! I wanted to shout – that’s exactly it. I was even tempted to do a little jig but managed to retain a degree of professionalism.
“Co-creation is so much more than a word. It is a deeply embedded culture where everyone’s input is valued and where we come together as equal partners to create an organisation that is the best it can be. It sounds simple doesn’t it, but of course it is a Journey that takes effort, belief and commitment. So, with all that said, where are we now on our co-creation journey?
“As a working party we have been speaking to as many people as possible both within and outside of TEWV. We’ve spoken to staff, service users and carers. We’ve spoken to other Trusts and related organisations who have already have a strong culture of co-creation and we have looked at those trusts who are rated as outstanding. We weren’t surprised to learn that most of these had co-creation at their core.
As I’m sure you’ve worked out by now, I’m a huge fan of co-creation. I always have been.
Jackie
“We’ve listened and we hope that the recommendations that we’ve come up with reflect the input that you have all generously given. Our recommendations are wide ranging and look at both the long and short term. We’ve recognised that to effectively embed co-creation we need an infrastructure that will support it. As with any change this will take time and dedicated resource if it is to be successful. It will be a culture shift but, as with all culture shifts, there are lots of practical things that we will need to put in place so that your journey to change runs smoothly. So that staff, service users, carers, the community and the organisation as a whole can benefit. As I’m sure you’ve worked out by now, I’m a huge fan of co-creation. I always have been. It has so many benefits:
“It allows us to look at things from every perspective so we can come up with a more rounded solution. By involving staff and service users we get greater ‘buy in’ – no longer are we ‘doing to’, but rather ‘doing with’.
“We are able to draw on expertise that we otherwise would not have access to – let’s not forget that our staff, service users and carers have lives, experiences, careers and skills go way beyond mental health.
It values the lived experiences of service users and carers – and from this we can gain powerful insights that can’t be taught, but are hugely valuable in helping us serve our community.
“I’ve seen co-creation work many times and I’ve been told on many occasions at TEWV that my contribution has made a difference. If it helps here are a few bits of feedback that I’ve been given following my involvement.
Being involved in the working party has reminded me of what a brilliant way of working co-creation is.
Jackie
“On one occasion I was thanked for saying what everyone was thinking but didn’t want mention – as someone not employed by the Trust I don’t have the restraints of the internal politics! On another occasion I was told my perspective was refreshing and helped others to look at things in ways they’d not previously considered.
“I could go on but hopefully you get the gist. So we can see that, where fully embraced, co-creation can have huge benefits for the Trust. But we mustn’t underestimate the benefits that it can also have for our service users. To be listened to, valued and involved can have a massive impact on their self-esteem and thus can play a huge part in their recovery. And after all, that’s why we are all here!
“So let me ask you this, have you ever been in a situation where someone has asked for your thoughts and opinions on something and listened, really listened, to what you have to say? And in turn you listen to their opinions. And between you, you come up with something great? That’s co-creation – it feels great doesn’t it. And more importantly, it works.”
To you’d like to know more about involvement opportunities please contact our involvement and engagement team via email tewv.involvementandengagement@nhs.net or on 01642 516 468.
