There is an appetite to do things differently, to expand and change the way we deliver social care and health and to ensure that people with lived experience, families and carers are involved in shaping and designing what that looks like

Working together to create a better future for social care and health

17 November 2022 · Categories: Innovators Learn, Opinions and responses

Earlier this month Helen Allen, Angela Catley, Tom Richards and I attended the National Children and Adults Services Conference (NCASC) in Manchester. This annual 3-day event brings together the “elected members and senior leaders in local authorities with responsibility or an interest in delivering services and opportunities for children, young people and adults”.

A Twitter screenshot showing an image of Vicky and Jodie from Speak Up standing in front of a coproduction wall of feedback. They are both pointing to a post it note that says “We are people. We just want to be equal”. They are both smiling. The Tweet is by Pip Cannons and says ‘massive thanks to Jodie and Vicky from Speak Up for coming along and talking coproduction today at NCASC22. “How will services know what people want if they don’t ask?”’An emphasis on coproduction

This year there was a real emphasis on ensuring that people with lived experience were invited and able to participate and shape the conversations. So, we invited Harry from our Rotherham People Can project and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, and Jodie and Vicky from Speak Up to talk about coproduction and why it is so important.

 

We are people too. We just want to be equal

The session went down a storm, getting a great response from the audience and lots of follow questions from areas keen to follow their example.

Innovating with partners

A Twitter screenshot showing an image of the ‘Innovation in Action Partnership’ stand. There are lots of people stood up chatting in an open space in the conference centre. The Tweet is by Pip Cannons and says ‘Great conversations and a real buzz at the innovation in partnership stand. Helen, Tom and I joined Shared Lives Plus, TLAP, Mayday Trust, IMpact, and SCIE on the “Innovation in Action Partnership” stand to showcase our collective solutions and share insights into how we can change social care for the better so people can live good lives in the place that they call home, with the people and things that matter to them. Find out more about our partnership in this leaflet.

Following a successful 18 months working alongside Community Equipment Provider, Medequip, Angela was invited to join their stand. This led to really great conversations and gatherings as Angela pulled in people to share their experiences of using equipment – resulting in what was probably the most raucous and most fun stand at the event! Lots of food for thought and new ideas for us all to explore!

A Twitter screenshot showing an image of the Medequip stand. Angela is sat at a table alongside a wheelchair user and another man. Isaac is stood in front of the stand alongside another woman. Everyone is smiling. There is a lit backdrop to the stand which includes the Medequip and Community Catalysts logos as well as the words ‘share the journey’. The Tweet is by Matt Ward and says ‘At NCASC22, Medequip is the centre of coproduction chat this afternoon’A real buzz and appetite for change in health and social care

Feedback from the event was great. Lots of people stopped at our stand or joined conversations in the Coproduction area or Medequip stand.

 

 

This year it really felt like there is an appetite to do things differently, to expand and change the way we deliver social care and health and to ensure that people with lived experience, families and carers are involved in shaping and designing what that looks like.

I came away after 3 days, exhausted but buzzing and overwhelmingly proud of Community Catalysts and our partners who are all working towards making that difference a reality.

Thanks to everyone who took part in the event or supported from afar…. and thanks too to the Association of Directors of Adults Social Services (ADASS), the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) and the Local Government Association (LGA) for organising the event.

By Pip Cannons – CEO at Community Catalysts

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