10 steps to better personalisation with Peer Leaders/people with lived experaince

Having been a peer leader for some time and being involved in lots of co-production activities with the NHS and Social Care, I took the time to review and make some comments about the activities that I have attended. 

1. Involvement at the start - Often someone is tasked to perform or produce a piece of work that may be needed. By involving peer leaders, who have a great amount of experience navigating the NHS, they may be able to direct you and save you time and resources. They could point out other similar activities that have taken place locally, regionally or nationally. Ideally, think of having one or two peer leaders as champions for the projects so you can turn to them quickly if needs be. 

2. Send documents out before meetings - This gives us all time to review and think of ideas and suggestions. Not every peer leader who has input has a chance to. There are also times when a good suggestion or idea might come later. Make sure there is an opportunity to keep personalising the project. it should be noted that people are often giving their time freely and there should be no expectations to be involved.

3. Use standard language - Health inequalities data show the average reading age of the position to be about 12 years old. Write for the audience. We often find projects and exercises riddled with clever sounding words which just put off the people that your trying to reach. 

4. It is okay to say I will check and get back to you (make it your responsibility) - many suggestions put forward by peer leaders are put aside on the basis of it not being the remit of this project or the NHS process. Often we find that on checking this is not the case, and that the people commissioning the project actually think it is a good idea or things can be included or changed. often peer leaders will hear this isn't our remit, or it may not be possible due to IT etc. often these things could be parked and chase up later, often its found that the changes requested are easily achievable, and just requires making a quick enquiry.

5. Utilise all of our skills - Peer leaders have tonnes of life experience, not just within the NHS, but from other areas too. Many are or have been professionals, come from diverse backgrounds or have skills and knowledge from other occupations. Do not be afraid to ask what other skills they have that could help. 

6. Build in time to co-produce - Sometimes we will get told that we have a few weeks to complete a project. Involvement takes time, from experience the best co-produced projects have been the ones that come back and check regularly to see if the action that has been taken meets peoples needs. 

7. Accessibility (disability) is essential. Ensure readable and functional distribution of information for all protected characteristics. Use pictures where possible. 

8. Do not forget that good co-production will help you meet your Equality Act duties. Sec 149 of the Equality Act requires you to consult. Co-producing allows you to show you are working to meet these duties. 

9. Use live examples - Peer Leaders will often be able to give you examples of real life experiences where things have actually worked. Work these in. Live examples are better than theory. 

10. Review - Let us know how it went, pencil in a review and feedback to us, we need to learn too.