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Coproduction Projects

We believe that people with lived experience of mental health services, along with family members and parent carers, should be central to how mental health care is designed, delivered, reviewed, and improved. Their insight helps us understand what really works and what needs to change.

Co‑production means valuing this lived experience as an important asset. It is about working side by side with professionals, understanding challenges together, and creating shared solutions that lead to better and more supportive services.

Co-production is people, carers and professionals working together as equal partners to: design, develop, commission, deliver and review services, information and support.

Suffolk County Council – A co-produced definition for Suffolk

We are currently working closely with our My Voice Champions and our wider Lived Experience Group (which is a sub group of the Mental Health Collaborative) to shape several important areas of service development in Suffolk. These groups bring invaluable insight from people with lived experience of mental health challenges, ensuring that local services are shaped by the voices of those who use them.

Both groups are closed to protect a safe and supportive environment, but we always welcome interest from new volunteers. If you would like to get involved in the future, please contact us on 01473 907087 or email hello@suffolkuserforum.co.uk.

What We’re Focusing on Now

• Wearable safety product pilot Our volunteers will be reviewing a new wearable safety device being developed for people living with dementia or those who may be at risk of going missing. Their lived‑experience perspectives will help shape Suffolk County Council’s pilot, ensuring the product is practical, respectful, and genuinely supportive.
• Improving Suffolk County Council information materials The groups will be reviewing a range of SCC information resources to check that they are clear, accessible, and meaningful for the people who rely on them. Their feedback will help refine these materials before they are shared more widely.
• Shaping upcoming 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Hub events We will begin developing the themes, questions, and priorities for two forthcoming engagement events exploring 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Hubs. Input from our volunteers will ensure these events reflect what matters most to local people and highlight the issues that need to be heard.

Stepping Forward Events

Alongside this work, we will also be holding Stepping Forward events throughout the year. These sessions are open to anyone who wants to share their lived experience, ideas, or thoughts on the topics we are exploring. They provide an open, welcoming space for wider community voices to influence our co‑production work and help shape future mental health support in Suffolk.

Please email us at hello@suffolkuserforum.co.uk or call us on 01473 907087 if you are interested in finding out more or if you would like to take part in any of our coproduction projects.

Find out more about some of our past coproduction projects below: