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Principles met

  • Co-production

    We will develop systems that enable citizens to be equal partners in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

  • Learning

    We will capture and ‘expand’ the experience and learning from individual projects and approaches in order to encourage broader application of co-operative principles within individual member Councils and across the Network.

  • New models of meeting priority needs

    In exploring new ways of meeting the priority needs of our communities we will encourage models, such as co-operatives and mutuals, which give greater influence and voice to staff and users. in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

In 2022, Birmingham City Council commissioned RedQuadrant to deliver an independent, co-produced review of day opportunities for adults. The council’s vision was to support community resilience and enable citizens to access local services that promote choice, control, and wellbeing. Acknowledging the lasting impact of the pandemic, the Council placed co-production at the centre of its approach and aimed to establish a group of co-producers to lead meaningful engagement.

To support this, we recruited and trained people with lived experience to form the Empowering People Team (EPT), including people who use day services, attend specialist colleges, or care for others. The EPT co-designed and led the engagement process, providing valuable insights into current service provision.

In 2023, a second phase was launched to deepen understanding of the aspirations and challenges identified in the first phase. The EPT grew to 23 members, and the programme expanded its reach to seldom heard groups. Over 40 events were held with more than 500 participants, capturing diverse views on the future of day opportunities.

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