Local Co-production in Action: Co-production Week 2026

House meetings are a forum for activities

At Carolyn House, monthly house meetings are an opportunity for customers to choose their activities for the following month, including the chance to lead an activity themselves. For example, a customer with an interest in DJing hosted a music night where he gave his fellow residents the opportunity to select the songs that he played.

The monthly House meetings are also followed by an activity. Management and staff have highlighted that this encourages customers to attend the meetings and share their views. This has helped the meeting reach an average of 75% uptake on attendance.

Activities include regular walking groups, cooking sessions, games, pool competitions, arts and crafts and health workshops – the latest being about advice on good dental care. Customers are actively encouraged to help set up and run the activities.

After every activity has ended, customers complete a short feedback survey. This allows staff to gather insights and use the information to improve future activities. Feedback can range from simple suggestions, such as requesting a different type of biscuit, to recommending a preferred day or time for activities. Staff keep the customers regularly up to date with any feedback and ensure that customers are informed about how their feedback is used. If any suggestions cannot be implemented, staff clearly explain the reasons why. The service also maintains a comprehensive activity log, which records the date and type of each activity.

In addition, Carolyn House Service has identified not one but two staff Co-production Champions, who play a key role in supporting customers to co-produce their recovery-focused activities. Their involvement strengthens meaningful participation and ensures that activities are shaped in line with customers’ interests and recovery goals.

The service also produces a monthly newsletter, which highlights customer achievements, the monthly activity timetable, and other key updates. This is handed out to all customers and copies are posted on the noticeboards.

Local recruitment

Customers are also encouraged to participate in recruitment panels for prospective staff for the service. After all, while our services are a workplace for staff, they are home for the people we support.

Our customer David puts it fantastically:

“As staff support me in my personal space with private matters, it is essential that I trust them. I am best placed to make this assessment, and being on the panel allows me to contribute to the decisions about who supports me.”

Meanwhile, Ruth, the service manager agrees:

“Customers are central to our work; involving them in interview panels ensures meaningful participation and allows them to ask practical questions that assess whether candidates can genuinely meet their needs”.

We look forward to hearing about other future co-production success stories from our customers and the staff team at Carolyn House, as well as our other service. Until next time!