Coproduction

At Shared Lives Plus, we have an ambassador team – experts by experience of Shared Lives – who we work with on various pieces of work across the organisation. We regularly review how we co-produce with our ambassadors, as we believe coproduction is a circular process; one that doesn’t ‘end’ but keeps on developing.

Since 2025, ambassadors and colleagues decided to collectively discuss and explore how we want to work with one another, and what we need to do as part of aligning with this. This included a workshop exercise focusing on three areas; how we want to feel, what we need to remember, and what we need to do. This has built a values-based approach to how we work with one another – and pulls together what we believe is the most important part of coproduction; relationship-building.

Heather, Shared Lives Plus ambassador:

“It’s important for social workers to hear about our experiences of transitioning to adult social care, because I think it’s crucial that it could help someone else in that transitioning period – instead of ticking off boxes and moving someone rapidly into independent living, which might not be the best case for everyone. Expecting someone at such a young age to pay bills, find their own job, socialise, and manage their mental health, can feel very lonely at times as resources aren’t the best. I hope I can get social workers or schemes see there’s a different way of seeing things – from our point of view.

This is one of my personal experiences. When I was 17, I came home from college one day to see a social worker who I didn’t know filling out a housing form with my two carers. I felt as if my life was flashing before my eyes and decisions were being made for me and not with me. I had an uneasiness of anxiety of how I would cope on my own. Since working with Shared Lives, I’ve found the confidence to do my own projects on language, transitions, and speaking at local parliament about the rights for people with disabilities. We’re the ones that have been there and done it, got the badge, got the t-shirt. This can actually help someone like me. To help them feel like they aren’t alone.”

Paul, Shared Lives Plus ambassador:

“You work as a team in so many different ways. I used to work as a coach. I work with Shared Lives now. It helps to be a team of ambassadors as everyone has a different skill. It all helps people.”

• Blog: Where to begin with co-production
• Members area: The why’s and how’s of coproduction with Hope and Catherine
• The Ambassadors Charter