Coproduction and Lived Experience event - Dorking Halls Surrey

On Wednesday 31st January, Leanne Yeo, Chair of Pro-Active Community joined 120 delegates at the first lived experience coproduction conference at Dorking Halls.

We were all honoured to hear such powerful experiences shared by people who have chosen to bring so much real hope and meaningful context to others experiencing similar mental health events, or wanting to learn more.

This is evidencing beyond question the importance and necessity of organisations fully investing in coproduction.

In every life story shared, the core message is clear, lived experience is critical in shaping future provisions, it’s great having professional qualifications, and knowledge, but working together, equally with people who have lived experience in any situation will be best placed to create positive change for positive outcomes.

Important to hear keynote speaker Mel Ball, Director for Lived Experience, and Amy, talking so passionately about coproduction and all the benefits working together with professionals has acheived.

Thank you to Colette Lane and Professor Helen Rostill for bringing together such a diverse and richly knowledgeable experienced group of speakers and interactive delegates, to listen and learn from one another.

This afternoon we’ve been listening to others sharing their life stories, Pete, Eleanor and Ian, hearing so many over coming or adjusting to such personal mental health challenges has been incredible. Most have now moved into hugely successful roles as mental health professionals, enhanced by their lived experience.

Lessons to be shared and learnt together.

The Coproduction workshops focused on making it true and equal across Surrey and NE Hants, sharing and not isolating working practices benefits everyone with equity, equally well.

Leanne told the table group, “There needs to be more listening to people with a learning disability and easy read things so I don’t need to ask for ones for me, they should just be there, coproduction is important so I can say what works for me, make things I understand better, and others like me”

Well done to End Stigma Surrey for their show stopping drama performance - thought provoking and making us reflect on how all of us can approach ending mental health stigma, by using different language and talking techniques more effectively.

Leanne talked to Non Hill who will be working with Community members in the Research Ready Surrey projects, and Amanda Aldridge who is the Partnership and Engagement Manager for Surrey Adult Learning Disability and Autism.