Research projects

"Co-Production Collective have not only helped us to think through the different strategies that we can use to engage and work with social care residents, families, and staff, but they have also built the research team’s confidence and helped us to reflect on our own behaviours and biases. This has been enormously beneficial for the research team."

"Co-Production Collective helped us to reach, engage, and work with people with lived experience. They gave us practical support, helped to build our skills, and gave us the confidence to do this. It was such a positive experience that we have changed the way that we apply for funding and planning projects, building in this way of working from the outset."

"As a neurodivergent researcher and advocate, I deeply value my involvement with Co-Production Collective. The Collective doesn’t just listen to those with lived experiences; it actively integrates our insights into its core work, embodying true co-production. Learning from/with the Collective has been instrumental in refining my approach to co-production."

"My engagement with the Collective came at a time when I was feeling isolated and at times muted in terms of working with organisations and researchers to enhance service provision. The values and ethics of the Collective meant that I found a space I can meet with others who share the same mindset and where I feel safe to explore without judgement."

"Being given opportunities to co-produce with the Collective increased my understanding and knowledge base, enabling me to co-produce a qualitative research project on people’s experiences of shielding in the COVID 19 pandemic. I have developed transferable, research skills which are being utilised in other research projects I am involved with."

"The expertise of Co-Production Collective allowed the identification of priority research questions that reflect the curiosity and concerns of the general public as much as those of people with learnt/professional expertise in the field. This led to co-produced themes that enable us to apply for major research funding to tackle maternity disparities."

"Thank you Co-Production Collective! Your inspiring experiences, reflections, stories, and language has genuinely left a lasting impression here in Derbyshire, and has sparked an array of actions in the direction of co-production as we’d hoped. It’s a journey, but it feels like there’s now many more ripples of change, and that’s very exciting. "

"Co-Production Collective are visionary changemakers. Working with the Collective on their strategy and the Measuring Success project has been a fantastic learning experience and has enabled Grand Challenges to test ways of embedding the principles of co-production throughout our programmes. "

"I first got in touch with Co-Production Collective as I was struggling to find organisations that shared similar values and approaches to work that I do. The thing that I value, is the sense of purpose and commitment to putting people front and centre. I’ve already learnt a great deal about how to get co-production ‘right’!"

"I first got involved during lockdown, and since my involvement I have not turned back. Gradually, I built confidence and have been able to connect with some beautiful hearted, selfless people. The greatest aspect that I value is the support and the mutual respect and understanding when making decisions."

"By being involved in the Collective, I’m constantly challenged to do better in my research. I get to work with a diverse range of people to reflect on how to make research more meaningful and impactful to the communities that stand to benefit from it."

"As a representative of one of the organisations funding the Measuring Success project, I have been involved in co-developing the scheme and supporting the assessment of applications. It’s been a fantastic learning experience to understand how funders can help create the best conditions to embed the principles of co-production."

"The idea for the Collective began life as just a few words on paper. Now it is a living, breathing, exciting venture. By challenging assumptions and supporting people to work differently I believe it is playing a vital role in helping us tackle some of society’s biggest health challenges from a fresh perspective."

"As a carer for my son, who has Cystic Fibrosis, I became aware that health and social care provision was system moulded rather than person-centred. I was on the hunt for genuine collaborative working. For the first 3 years I found a few crumbs and the occasional nugget. Then I discovered the Collective – I had arrived!"

"The Co-Production training felt like a safe space among equals and meant we were able to address any pre-conceived worries or barriers to co-production in research as a two-way approach to learning. The future of research is co-produced so without a doubt, all PhD students need this training!"

"I have learnt so much about co-production through being involved in the Collective. I was part of the team who chose the co-produced Pilot projects to fund. Not only did I learn a lot from this involvement but also it has been a great experience to see the projects grow and develop."