Reflections from the National Co-Production Conference

Recently, Rosie, Debora, and Stuart were able to go along to the National Co-Production Conference hosted by Co-Production Network for Wales. Against the beautiful backdrop of South Wales Valleys, we heard from speakers working to embed co-production across Wales, and interactive workshops provided the opportunity to broaden our understanding of topics - such as Psychological Safety for Courageous Conversations, and Co-Production with Underserved Communities.

Throughout the day we heard about co-production in a variety of forms – from the big scale policy of The Future Generations Act to the more local implementation with community-based charities. With such rich learning to be had, we came away from the day with so much to discuss and unpack. On our journey home, we each took notes on three questions:  

• What is something to celebrate?  
• What sparked your curiosity?  
• What will you take away?

Something to celebrate

The energy in the room today was unmistakable - co-production wasn’t just discussed; it was deeply felt. At Co-Production Collective, we are passionate about culture change when it comes to the involvement of people with lived experience in research, service and policy development, and it is one of our long term ambitions to embed and elevate co-production across various sectors. Today, we saw first-hand how that change is taking shape in different spaces. One charity shared how they rewrote their staff training in collaboration with service users, ensuring co-production became a fundamental part of their team’s understanding. Another speaker encouraged us to see the organisational ‘workarounds’ that many of us find to navigate difficult systems as opportunities for innovation - shifting our perspective to recognise the co-production emerging through the cracks and proof of what can be achieved. Hearing these examples reinforced the power of collective effort, reminding us why this transformation matters.

Zooming out to a national level, the Well-being of Future Generations Act (a framework setting out seven well-being goals for the Welsh government) positions co-production as a fundamental way of working. Throughout the day, we saw a clear commitment to turning this principle into practice, with a strong push to embed co-production as the norm across Wales. There was honesty about the challenges - delivery isn’t yet where it needs to be. But what stood out was the energy, optimism, and determination to keep moving forward, evening in a complex environment. It’s inspiring to see the kind of change we champion being put into action.  

Something that sparked curiosity

Co-production is rarely straightforward. It can often be messy and shaped by the many different realities that we each bring to the table. A key theme of the day was embracing this complexity, discussing how we work together in the midst of it all. The Ethics of Care emerged as a guiding principle, reminding us that co-production isn’t just about designing solutions but also about collaboratively shaping the way we work together in a caring way - striking the right balance between safety and inclusion. Rosie attended an interactive workshop on Psychological Safety for Courageous Conversations, where the discussion centred on creating spaces that allow people to show up as their full selves - comfortable, safe, and ready to engage. A particularly thought-provoking conversation unfolded around risk-taking: how do we foster an environment where people feel secure enough to try something new or share openly, while also safeguarding the collective space? I left the session excited to explore this topic more, and learn how we can build spaces where authenticity thrives, challenge is welcomed, and innovation is possible without compromising the well-being of those involved.

One of the standout talks from the day highlighted the need for genuine and balanced partnerships between individuals with lived experience, third sector organisations like charities, and government bodies. The speaker observed that “it wasn’t so much about them having a seat at the table but about them being treated as equal partners”. We were prompted to reflect on instances where charities and community groups were entrusted with delivering services, yet excluded from shaping the strategies behind them. This sparked important questions about how our own respective organisations engage with partners, and where there’s more we could do to foster truly collaborative, strategic relationships.  

Something that you will take away

Being amongst like-minded people who are passionate about co-production is always energising, but it also prompts deeper reflection. How can we ensure that the spaces we create to gather and support one another truly reflect the diverse communities that we are part of? A highlight from the day was hearing the experience of people with lived experience co-producing with charities to develop services and new ways of working. This got us thinking about how we actively involve different people with different needs, likes and dislikes in designing gatherings. Co-production thrives on the richness of diverse experiences and resources, and it’s this diversity that makes our work meaningful and impactful.  

As we know, co-production shouldn’t be about ticking boxes. It is about working together in a real, meaningful, and genuine way. A key takeaway from today was the importance of letting go of perfectionism. True collaboration thrives on honesty, shared values, and collective effort, not attainable standards. When we become too focused on getting everything “just right,” we risk holding back something truly impactful. Co-Production is a journey, and it is okay to take small steps. One attendee powerfully shared, “Without co-production, we weren’t going anywhere.” This serves as a vital reminder that progress isn’t about flawless execution; it’s about moving forward together, embracing the process, and creating something that truly matters. We are reminded of the importance of embodying the values of co-production first and foremost.

Photo credit: Canva