What is co-production?
Co-production is a collaborative approach where people we support and team members work together as equals. It recognises the value of lived experience and actively involves people we support in shaping the support and services they receive.
In co-production, everyone’s ideas, skills, and knowledge matter – whether they come from professional training or personal experience. Together, we co-design, co-deliver and co-evaluate initiatives, projects and processes within our organisation, to make sure the support we provide truly works for people drawing on it.
Our vision
“To provide the best specialist support, inspiring a generation to ensure people live happy, healthy and meaningful lives.”
At Achieve together, co-production isn’t an add-on – it’s how we work. It’s central to how we deliver our vision and the heartbeat of our culture.
Why co-production matters
At its core, co-production is about:
- Equality – Everyone has a voice and is treated as an equal partner.
- Empowerment – People are supported to use their experiences and strengths to shape change.
- Respect – All contributions are valued, no matter the role or background.
- Transparency – Open, honest communication and shared decision-making are key.
- Inclusivity – Every voice is heard, including those who need alternative ways to communicate.
These values align with our commitment to person-centred support and ensure people we support play a real, active role in the homes where they live and the support they receive.
How we do it at Achieve together
We’re embedding co-production throughout our organisation – from strategic planning and national initiatives to local projects and campaigns. It’s shaping how we make decisions, how we work as teams and how we evolve the support we provide.
Our co-production and advocacy groups
Our commitment to co-production is championed through two important groups:
- Unity – our internal co-production group made up of people we support and team members. Unity focuses on shaping the way we work at Achieve together, influencing training, recruitment, wellbeing and more.
- Campaign 4 Change – a national self-advocacy group led by people with lived experience. Campaign 4 Change works to raise awareness and campaign for the rights of autistic people and people with learning disabilities, helping to shape a more equal and inclusive society.
These groups ensure that people with lived experience shape both how Achieve together works internally, and how we advocate for change across society.
Key roles in co-production
- Co-production & Advocacy Partner.
- Co-production and Employment Partner.
- Autism Trainer & Ambassador.
- Co-production Manager.
- Unity Representatives (across various specialisms).
- Campaign 4 Change Members.
Unity representatives: Champions of change
Unity members are experts by experience and actively influence different areas of the organisation, including:
- Sustainability and environment.
- Recruitment.
- Marketing and communications.
- Mental health and wellbeing.
- Physical health and sports.
- Quality and safeguarding.
- Positive behaviour support.
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Learning and development.
- Events and community engagement.
- Employment.
- IT
- Finance.
- Specialist advocacy areas.
- Sex and relationships.
These representatives ensure that co-production isn’t just talked about – it drives real-world impact across our entire organisation.
The value co-production brings
Our commitment to co-production demonstrates that Achieve together is an organisation that:
- Listens to – and values – the voices of people we support.
- Builds trust through openness and shared responsibility.
- Inspires change from within, based on real insight.
- Prioritises inclusion, accessibility, and person-led support.
- Fosters growth and learning on both sides of the support relationship.
Co-production at Achieve together means working side by side, not top-down. It creates homes and services that are more effective, inclusive and empowering because they’re shaped by people who use them.
Whether someone is a Unity representative influencing training design or a Campaign 4 Change member championing the rights of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, everyone has a role to play in driving meaningful change, together.
Want to learn more about co-production in action?
Visit our Campaign 4 Change page – and don’t miss our upcoming Big Plan, launching this July, created with the voices of people we support at its heart.
