How to get involved – co-production
Jump to current opportunities
We work closely with people who use our services, carers and families to improve quality, shape services, and make sure we meet the needs of the people we support.
We’re proud of our commitment to co-production. There are many ways you can get involved, whether that’s at a local service level or by helping shape our Trust-wide plans.
What do we mean by co-production?
Co-production means working in equal partnership with people who use health and care services, their carers and communities. It involves engaging people from the very beginning of any project, whether that’s designing, developing, or evaluating a service.
We recognise that people with lived experience of using our services are often best placed to tell us what works, what doesn’t, and what would make a positive difference.
By working together, we’re creating services that are more responsive, inclusive, and fit for purpose. It’s part of our commitment to support everyone’s mental health and wellbeing so they can live the best life possible.
Understanding the language we use
Here are some of the terms we use when we talk about co-production, and what they mean.
Someone of any age providing support which can be physical, emotional or mental, for a relative or friend, who could not cope without that support. The care that they provide is unpaid and we need to work in partnership with them when caring for their loved one. We need their input to help shape our services.
We provide services to people across different geographies across Surrey and North East Hampshire, who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds and cultures. We want to ensure that all are given the opportunity to take part in co-production work and help shape our services.
A group of people agreeing on goals together and working as a team to achieve these goals.
Creating and launching a new or improved service. Identifying and making recommendations for improvements in the patient pathway and administrative processes to enhance the patient experience.
Measuring how successful the service is at achieving the goals.
Experience that people have had firsthand, that gives them knowledge and understanding that others don’t have.
Current Opportunities
Help to improve the transition from children's to adult services
Surrey and Border NHS Trust is committed to listening to the views of people who use our services, their carers, and families. By working together, we aim to continually improve our services and deliver the best possible outcomes.
This project is specifically about the transition between:
- Children’s Learning Disability services to the Adult Community Teams for People with Learning Disability
- Children’s Neurodevelopmental Team(s) to the Adult Neurodevelopmental Team(s)
We are seeking insights from up to 20 people who are:
- due to transition between these services within the next two years, or are a carer/family member of someone who will be seeking transition within that timeframe.
- currently in the process of transitioning between these services, or are a carer/family member of someone who is in the process of transitioning
- have transitioned between these services within the last two years, or are a carer/family member of someone who has transitioned within that time
We would like to gather your insights either via Microsoft Teams or by phone and our aim is to complete this work by the end of April 2026. Calls should take approximately 30 minutes.
Your insights will help us understand what is working well and how we can make improvements to ensure the smooth transition for all people who use our services, their carers and family members. It will inform the development of a transition policy.
How to get involved
To express your interest in taking part in this project please complete our online engagement form by the midnight 31st March 2026.
If you’d like to find out more about this work and how you can get involved, or need support completing the online engagement form please contact us:
Email: john.otway@sabp.nhs.uk or Telephone: 01737 288815 (Lead Administrator)
Help improve support for carers in the Psychiatric Liaison Service
We are inviting carers to share their experiences of supporting someone who attended Epsom A&E and was seen by the Psychiatric Liaison Service.
This service evaluation is being carried out by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Surrey. The aim is to better understand carers’ experiences when the person they care for attends Epsom A&E and receives support from the psychiatric liaison team.
By taking part, carers can help us identify what works well and where improvements can be made. Your feedback will help us improve how we support carers and involve them in care.
Taking part involves completing a short online questionnaire and a 30–45 minute online interview with a member of the project team. Interviews will take place via MS Teams.
You can take part if you are a family member or friend who supports someone who has recently attended Epsom A&E and been assessed or supported by the Psychiatric Liaison Service.
Taking part is entirely voluntary, and everything you share will be treated confidentially.
Your experiences can help shape how we support carers in the future.
How to get involved
You can find more details in the information sheet here.
To express your interest in taking part, please contact:
Solveig Haselbach
Email: pl-carers.project@sabp.nhs.uk
Psychiatric Liaison Service - Tel: 01372 216 600
What you can expect
We offer a range of ways to get involved—some are one-off workshops or discussion groups, others are longer-term projects.
We want our co-production activities to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. To help achieve this, we’ll promote opportunities through a range of channels and ask some standard questions to make sure we’re reaching underrepresented groups.
We’ll also ask about any support or adjustments you need, such as:
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Easy-read versions of documents
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Interpreters
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1:1 preparation sessions
We’ll always explain clearly what each opportunity involves and how you can contribute.
If an activity takes place in person, we can reimburse your travel expenses in cash on the day.
Some activities may be paid roles. Where this applies, we’ll let you know in advance and offer payment either by voucher or bank transfer.
If you find that sharing your lived experience brings up difficult emotions, we will offer support.
We’ll also ask for feedback about your experience of taking part, so we can keep improving how we work together.
IMPORTANT: If your co-production role offers payment
Receiving payment may affect your:
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Benefit entitlements
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Income tax and National Insurance
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Pension, tax credits, or pension credit
Before accepting payment, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a benefits advisor or Jobcentre Plus. You can also find guidance on the Surrey Welfare Rights Unit website
FoCUS (Forum of Carers and people who Use Services) is our main service user and carer involvement group.
If you use our services or care for someone who does, we’d love for you to join. Members hear about new opportunities first and can take part in shaping how we deliver care.
Staff regularly present upcoming involvement projects at FoCUS Committee meetings.
If you have any questions regarding involvement activities please email the team at: yourviewsmatter@sabp.nhs.uk