Working together
How co-production makes a difference
Working with someone who has lived experience can create valuable opportunities for both personal and professional growth.
We refer to patients and carers as Experts by Experience (EbE) because their unique insights and lived experiences provide invaluable knowledge that enhances our services.
Ways it can help
There are many ways an Expert by Experience (EbE) can help.
Service improvement
EBEs can contribute to designing and evaluating services, ensuring they meet the needs of patients and carers.
Training and education
EbEs can participate in training sessions, share their experiences, and help develop learning materials to ensure staff understand the patient’s perspective.
Patient safety
EbEs can participate in patient safety discussions, offer insights into potential risks, and help develop strategies to prevent incidents.
Research and policy development
EbEs can provide valuable insights into research projects and help shape policy development, ensuring it is informed by real-world experiences.
Co-production and engagement
EbEs can be involved in co-production activities, working alongside staff to develop and implement new initiatives.
Improving patient experience
EbEs can help staff understand the impact of their actions on patients, fostering empathy and compassion.
Who we work with
When we talk about people who use our services, we mean both patients and their carers. Carers may include family members, friends, or other close contacts.
While much of our work involves engaging with patients and carers together, we also collaborate with each group separately when needed.
“My role as an EBE makes me feel empowered and valued through working together on important projects in areas that interest me. Through the work we do, it sparks meaningful conversations, amplifies my voice and makes me feel heard. It allows me to use my lived experience as a force for future change.”
What is co-production?
“Co-production refers to a way of working where service providers and users work together to reach a collective outcome. The approach is value-driven and built on the principle that those who are affected by a service are best placed to help design it” — Involve 2023
There is a difference between co-production and involvement: involvement means being consulted, while co-production means being equal partners and co-creators.
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with some amazing lived experience colleagues who have supported and worked with me throughout the mobilisation of the Culture of Care and Mental Health Inpatient programmes.”
Coproduction and involvement in action
Here some examples of where EbE input has made a difference:
- Helping to move away from the CPA (Care Programme Approach) and support the Culture of Care programme
- Reviewing team documents and ways of working to make things better for service users
- Working together to create and deliver training and presentations
- Taking part in the Quality Improvement QI Hub, forums and strategy workshops
- Joining in site checks to make places more accessible, for example for people with dementia or neurodivergent needs
- Helping with reviews of other services
- Taking part in interviews and forums across all levels of staff recruitment
Non-urgent advice: Learn more
The Experience & Involvement Team is available to guide and support you every step of the way.
The trust has a dedicated support system to help you collaborate meaningfully with people with lived experience
Staff can visit the Experience & Involvement site on the trust intranet to learn more about working with Experts by Experience.
Alternatively, contact us to discuss further: getinvolved@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
Page last reviewed: 17 June, 2025