Co-production supports Changing Our Lives’ belief that all people are equal citizens in society. People may have a disability but that is simply part of the individual; it does not and should not be used to define and limit the individual.

Experience tells us that people’s needs are better met when they are involved in an equal and reciprocal relationship with

professionals and others, working together to get things done. This is co-production.

This message was made clear at the Ideas Festival, which focused on what young people want in relation to employment, relationships, life in the community and personal budgets through the use of arts based workshops.

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Ideas around co-production are often misrepresented. We have a responsibility to learn about co-production and make an effort to change the way that we do things. The Council is a big organisation, so it takes time to change the culture and the way we do things. At Sandwell Council, I would like us to listen to young people to develop a stronger and more open two-way relationship.

I was so pleased to be invited to this event, because you young leaders don’t stop, you always show resilience and tenacity in changing the lives of young people and in doing this you will be changing our lives too.

Today make sure you look at achieving aspirations and doing things differently. Have a clear plan and a vision to make a big difference.

Jan Britton, CEO, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

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Inspiring! Helps me to

focus better on trying to do my

job better.

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Great collaboration! Samee was

defintely the man of the day!

Over the last 40 years the self-advocacy movement has evolved and the landscape has changed in relation to legislation and attitudes toward disability.

We are now seeing a new breed of modern day self-advocate. These young people truly are the future leaders of tomorrow, with greater aspirations and higher expectations than their predecessors.

Their values and belief systems have been shaped in a different era and it’s factors like these that make them knowledgeable, astute and ambitious. They know what their rights are, what they want and how to get it.

They are uninhibited and inspirational in their delivery, way advanced of their non-disabled peers, possessing a confidence and belief like no other before them.

The New Generation

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It makes a real

difference having a level playing field

between adults and children.

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Engaging and creative.

Listening to the young people - being

outside the usual school forum.

The Ideas Festival was a great opportunity for young people and professionals to meet together. The event was full of inspirational and aspirational young people, keen to build a brighter future for themselves and their peers.

The Young Leaders from Changing our Lives did an excellent job of facilitating including engaging adult partcipants in a range of creative workshops. A worthwhile use of everyone’s time! Keep up the good work…

Sam HayComplex Commissioning ManagerSandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

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The workshops

were engaging for both adults and

young people, getting them to share their

ideas.

Having time to work together made for a lovely

and enjoyable morning.

This was my first experience of an Ideas Festival, and to be honest, I was blown away by the positivity of everyone at the event. The confidence of the young people who were there was really impressive, and it made me realise how much more we could learn by properly listening to them and working with them as equals.

The creative ways in which the workshops brought young people and adults together has given me some good ideas about how to take forward partnership working in the future.

Jim BrennanCustomer Services Manager for Sandwell MBC Neighbourhoods

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Interaction between young

people and adults made for a brilliant

day.

Everyone has the right to live an ordinary life. Through our work we know that many young people with disabilities don’t get that opportunity. We define an ordinary life as:

• Being part of the community• Being employed• Having access to education which enables you to develop as an individual• Living in your own home• Being in a relationship • Having friends and family around you.

The Ideas festival focussed on the lives of young people, their aspirations and the support they might need to achieve what they want out of life.

The creative workshops addressed some of the big issues that have been raised through the work of Changing Young Lives.

An ‘Ordinary’ Life

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The ‘Graffiti Gurus’ graffiti workshop focussed on my community. Young people identified why community is important to them and how they can be a part of it.

Graffiti - My Community

The ‘Lyrical Masters’ poetry workshop looked at personal budgets . Young people used rhyme to say how they would spend their own budget to support them to live a full life.

Watch the Film

Poetry - Personal Budgets

Comics - Employment

‘The Dude-lerz’ comic workshop about employment helped young people to focus on their chosen career and map out a pathway to achieve their aspirations.

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The ‘Snapsta Crew’s photography workshop on relationships helped young people explore their own relationships and think about what’s important both now and in the future.

Photography - Relationships

See all the photos from the day

The PledgesThroughout the morning professional were invited to the ‘Big Brother’ pod to pledge what they will co-produce in the next 6 months with children and young people. Here is a taster of some of the pledges made by professionals at the Ideas Festival.

• “I pledge to co-produce a plan with our students to make their transition process work for them when they leave Westminster.” Jane Turner, Wesminster School

• “I am in the process of developing a Youth Parliament in Sandwell and pledge to make sure that young people with

disabilities have an active role in that to improve things for young people in Sandwell.” Tariq Karim, Area Manager, Young People’s Service, Sandwell MBC

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• “At the next team meeting, I will raise the need for social workers to be more outcomes focussed, when working with children and young people. I will talk to them about co-production and

ensure that children and young peoples voices are heard and we listen to what they want, so the plans that are produced reflect that.” Adam Johnston, Operations Manager, Sandwell MBC

• “I am working on an action plan for the council called ‘Making it Real’ which is all about putting people at the centre of the

service they receive. I pledge to work with young people to see how they can develop this plan too. I am also working on a project called the ‘Community Offer’ which is all about older people getting more support where they live, in their home or in their community and the community providing that support. I will work with young people on this too.” Jim Brennan, Customer Services Manager, Sandwell MBC Neighbourhoods

Great workshops and good to see

young people leading and involved, I really enjoyed it. Inspiring,

positive, upbeat and fun.

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I really enjoyed taking

part and want to be involved in the future

with Changing Our Lives.

We all worked well as a team,

nothing could be better.

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The event gave professionals an opportunity to hear first hand about the real experiences of young people and learn about a new generation that is looking for something different.

It also provided a lesson in ‘co-production’ by creating a reciprocal arena between young people and professionals to demonstrate this way of working and how better outcomes can be achieved by everyone.

Young leaders from Changing Our Lives will follow up the pledges made by professionals at the Ideas Festival to work towards better outcomes for young people with disabilities in Sandwell.

Many thanks to everyone that took part in the Ideas Festival and a special thank you to Mike Wilkes, Headteacher at St. Michael’s School and his fabulous staff team for hosting the event.

Ideas FestivalCo-producing the Future!

26th September, 2014 at St. Michael’s School

Changing Our Lives22-24 Hagley Mews, Hall Drive

Hagley, West Midlands DY9 9LQ

Tel: 0300 302 0770Email: ask@changingourlives.orgWeb: www.changingourlives.org