The Health and Wellbeing College based in Ashton aims to provide something very different for local people. They offer an educational approach designed to empower people to take control of their own health and wellbeing, while learning new skills, making friends and connecting with others.
“Everything the college does is fully co-produced by experts by experience (people who have a personal experience of a particular health challenge) and experts by profession (people who have professional knowledge in a particular subject area). This approach empowers people to use their experiences to help others on their recovery journey. We have found that this way of working really brings a different dynamic to the college.” Katie and George (College Leads)
We asked Peer Trainer Sarah at the Health & Wellbeing College about her thoughts on co-production, what it means to her, and any top tips she has for co-production.
Below are some of Sarah’s answers to some of our co-production questions:
What does Co-Production mean to you?
"My very first experience of co-production was at the college, when I witnessed a health practitioner and a person with lived experience get up and present together, it just gelled and created the full package. Each person made the other more valid. I had never seen somebody with lived experience speak; it was really precious and I think that was why co-production worked for me. Knowing everything at the college was co-produced, made me feel safe."
What are your top tips for Co-Production?
“Get everybody involved that you can think of – at the college this is, bosses, line managers, students, peer trainers, volunteers and anybody that has a special interest in what you’re doing.
If you’re unable to get everyone together at the same time, break it into smaller groups - get everyone’s ideas and then communicate with others.
Ensure that everyone is heard and has a voice - when people feel involved and listened to they’re more likely to feel part of their community.”
The Health & Wellbeing College are hosting a Summer School from the 16th - 27th of August 2021 with a number of fun and short activities designed to give you the opportunity to find out more about what they do and meet some of the team. This is open to anyone aged 18+ across the Pennine Care Boroughs; Tameside & Glossop, Bury, Oldham, Stockport, Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale.
To find out more about the 'Summer School' please find the Timetable attached in the downloads section on this page.
To find out more about the Health & Wellbeing College, please visit:
