This is a training course run over 2 sessions, you have to attend both parts - 8th July and 15th July

I am afraid you have to book both parts separately - as we are using the free version of Eventbrite.

The Time to Shine Toolkit for Coproduction with older people has been created as part of Louise Whitehead's PhD written using Time to Shine as a case study. We are running training based on that toolkit to give you confidence in working with coproduction methods within your organisation. The toolkit was produced with older people in mind but is applicable in many group settings.

Join us for two half day sessions to find out how you can use the toolkit within your organisation. We will look at the principles involved and work through some practical activities which will enable you to hold similar discussions in your organisation. There is a link to the Toolkit here

For those who attend the course a paper based version, and and a digital version with links to the activity pack are available.

About Coproduction

The idea of ‘Co-production’ can feel like an unattainable gold standard of involvement. Although there is no formally adopted definition, the one Time to Shine's local evaluators have used is as follows:

“Co-production is not just a word, it’s not just a concept, it is a meeting of minds coming together to find a shared solution. In practice, it involves people who use services being consulted, included and working together from the start to the end of any project that affects them.”

(Making it real: Marking progress towards personalised, community based support - Think Local Act Personal, 2011.)

We have tried to adopt this approach in every aspect of the Time to Shine programme, seeing involving older people as one of the main principles of our work.

We have found that authentic and genuine co-production results in effective and successful projects and activities. Through co-production older people have felt a true sense of ownership of the project, and then gone on to promote the project and advocate on their behalf. In many cases this has led to a ripple effect of people reaching out to others to connect them with their community.

We have sought to involve older people since the beginning of Time to Shine, within the programme team and throughout our funded projects. Examples include:

Contributing to and writing the lottery funding bid

Overall governance of the programme through the Core Partnership

Commissioning new projects

Recruiting staff

Ensuring that all projects have involved older people in the development of the funding application

Evaluating the project through peer researchers and volunteer listeners.

By using a test and learn approach we have been clear that genuine co-production can be challenging for staff and older people alike. It also requires skill and resources. We have worked with the University of Sheffield to explore this further and have supported a student, Louise Whitehead, to complete a PhD exploring Co-production, using Time To Shine as a case study.