The CPD-certified event, designed for commissioners, clinicians, and Experts by Experience, was attended by over 150 delegates and aimed to reshape how care services are developed through genuine co-production.
The conference welcomed a full day of thought-provoking discussions, practical workshops, and panel debates, all built around key questions including: What does true co-production look like in practice? How can organisations embed lived experience at every level? How can co-production drive meaningful, lasting culture change?
The day began with opening remarks from Raf Hamaizia, Expert by Experience Lead at Cygnet, and Stephen Firn OBE, CEO of Health Care at Cygnet, followed by a compelling opening speech titled “A Paradigm Shift” by renowned mental health consultant Dr Geraldine Strathdee CBE, OBE.
A major highlight of the morning was the keynote address from Julie Repper, Director of ImROC, who drew from her deep expertise as a clinician, academic, and service manager to challenge traditional models of care and advocate for recovery-focused, inclusive systems. Julie made a passionate argument for how, “Coproduction is a way to connect with the disconnected”, and that, “Coproduction is not about us and them, or staff and service users, it’s about equally valuing everyone’s expertise.”
Other standout sessions throughout the morning included:
- “Safewards and CAMHeleon” presented by Geoff Brennan of King’s College London and Ali Curtis, National Nurse Lead for CAMHS at Cygnet, which explored innovative safety and engagement strategies in inpatient settings.
- “The Importance of Lived Experience: Moving from Tokenism to True Co-Production” delivered by leaders from the Lived Experience Network (LENs), including Zachary Adebanjo and Ellie Fuller, alongside Cygnet Expert by Experience Mia McGowan, a former patient at Cygnet Hospital Sheffield. This presentation highlighted how lived experience, especially when meaningfully embedded, can shift culture, reduce restrictive practices, and enhance quality of care.
- A Panel Discussion featuring clinicians, service users, and leaders from Cygnet and Rethink Mental Illness, chaired by Raf Hamaizia.
After lunch attendees also heard from Laura Baker, Deputy Director for Integrated Care Systems at the Care Quality Commission, whose keynote addressed the regulatory value of lived experience in shaping care outcomes.
Afternoon sessions further highlighted best practices, with presentations such as:
- Jonathan, a resident at Cygnet Social Care, talking about the recent launch of the Quality Guardian Scheme, a pioneering initiative designed to enhance care quality through a resident-focused quality audit.
- “Cygnet’s Carer Involvement” by Julian de Takats, showcasing the impact of carers in shaping care pathways.
- Co-production in Mental Health with Nick Hunter, Co-Production Lead at Kent, Surrey and Sussex Adult Secure Provider Collaborative.
- A panel discussion on the importance of physical health monitoring in mental health sessions, featuring individuals such as Nick Hunter (Co-Production Lead, Kent, Surrey and Sussex Adult Secure Provider Collaborative), Jason Feavers (Physical Activity Project Manager, Rethink Mental Illness) and Rachel Edgecombe (Founder and Director, LEAD). Together with Cygnet representatives, they explored efforts to address health inequalities in secure inpatient settings.
- The EmpowerED Expert by Experience Forum unveiling their innovative Healthcare Passport for eating disorders support.
- Lived Experience Viewpoints from a Provider Collaborative, featuring Daneele Graham – Involvement Coordinator, South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Specialised Commissioning Provider Collaborative Hub.
The programme also included inspiring stories of environmental transformation through the Cygnet Social Hubs project, shared by Javaid Razzaq, Thomas Beasley, and Kate Gorse-Brightmore from Cygnet Hospital Bierley.
A particularly moving moment came during the Music 2 Empower segment, with a live performance by Tasha, a service user from Cygnet Hospital Beckton. Supported through Cygnet’s music therapy programme, she demonstrated how music enabled her to get through some of her darkest times and give her hope for the future.
Reflecting on the conference, Raf Hamaizia said: “Today was a huge success. It felt more than a conference, it was a celebration of the power of co-production and the people at the heart of our services. The energy, commitment, and openness in every session was inspiring.
“We’ve laid the foundation for future collaboration and shown what’s possible when lived experience isn’t just included, but instead leads the way.
“We are doing some incredible things at Cygnet which demonstrate the value of co-production and I hope today inspired other health and social care leaders and organisations to commit to embedding its principles too.”
The event concluded with closing remarks and an engaging Q&A, leaving attendees with new tools, new perspectives, and a shared commitment to drive co-produced change in health and social care services.
Raf added: “This inaugural event has hopefully firmly positioned Cygnet as a leader in embedding lived experience into commissioning, and marked an important step forward for the wider sector.”
Feedback from delegates was really positive:
“The service user talkers have been amazing. If anything, it proves the point of co-production – how can you do change without them?”
“Let’s build on our knowledge of co-production and vision a fture where we are moving towards lived experience leadership”
“Great event. Great speakers. And amazing to put Experts by Experience front and centre!”
