Keeping People we support at the Centre
At Venture People, we are passionate about empowering the people we support to be actively involved in shaping our organisation. We believe it is our responsibility to listen to, value, and act upon the experiences, needs, and aspirations of those with lived experience.
Our Definition of Involvement
Involvement at Venture People means “placing the people we support at the center of planning, developing and delivering services.” This co-produced definition reflects our commitment to ensuring that the voices and insights of those we support play a fundamental role in all our activities.
People we support newsletter
We have just launched our co-produced People We Support newsletter ‘Take Time’, a collaborative effort led by the Venture People Involvement Team.
This bi-monthly publication is designed to strengthen connections with the people we support, offering an engaging platform for information and inspiration. The newsletter features a range of valuable content, including updates on involvement initiatives and upcoming events at Venture People.
It also shares insights and practical tips from an expert by-experience perspective, with a focus on wellbeing and mindfulness to support mental and physical health. In addition to informative articles, the newsletter includes fun games and interactive elements, making it an enjoyable resource for everyone who receives services from Venture People.
Our Commitment to Involvement and Co-Production
Our proactive involvement team has been instrumental in launching a variety of co-production and collaborative initiatives over the past year. These include:
- Reviewing and providing feedback on surveys and policies.
- Participating in recruitment processes.
- Co-producing our organisational values.
- Developing an involvement strategy.
- Taking on ‘expert by experience’ roles in strategic partnership meetings.
- Evaluating, monitoring, and giving feedback on quality assurance.
- Providing input to our commissioning colleagues on market position statements.
- Representing Venture People in broader strategic partnership forums.
- Organising ongoing involvement and wellbeing events.
‘To be part of the group for me means I am able to help make positive changes and to be able to get my opinion heard as a service user ’. -Group Member
‘It means a lot to me being part of the VP Involvement Group. It’s where I can have a say to better the service, to enhance my life and that of others and make a difference. To be a part of a team, work together and make friends along the way. To share and build on our knowledge and life skills, I feel that by being involved in this group, I’m giving something back to the service that has helped me immensely and continues to do so. -Group Member
