People with lived experience of disability come together with professionals and decision makers to design, deliver, and improve services from start to finish.
It recognises that everyone has valuable expertise to share. By working side by side, we create services that are more accessible, effective, and better suited to people’s real needs. The key principles of co-production are equality, diversity, access, and shared responsibility.
· Value-driven – those affected by a service are best placed to help shape it.
· Shared decision-making – fostering mutual respect and inclusivity.
· Influence – participants have real impact on the outcomes.
· Intersectional – ensuring a diverse range of voices are included.
We also work with other organisations, such as local councils and public health teams, to help them embed co-production in their practices and break down barriers so that Disabled people can participate effectively.
At Real, we are always looking for Disabled people to take part and have their voices heard in our friendly co-production groups.
These focus on a wide range of issues such as mental health, sports, employment and job readiness, and local services provided by the Council, among others. In return for your time, participants receive vouchers and, in some cases, training opportunities too.