From Conversations to Co-design
From Conversations to Co-design
Following the kitchen table conversation process across the Huon Valley, community members, local organisations, service providers and other stakeholders came together through a series of co-design workshops to explore practical responses to the priorities identified by the community. The workshops were designed to move beyond identifying challenges and focus on what could be done collectively to create positive change.
Participants worked together to:
Using participatory activities and collaborative decision-making processes, participants identified a range of priorities and initiatives they believed would make the greatest difference for the Huon Valley community. These discussions informed the development of the Huon Valley Voice for Health Action Plan, which set out a shared vision and practical actions for improving health and wellbeing across the region.
To ensure a broad range of perspectives were included, consultation and engagement activities were undertaken with people from across the community, including those who may not have otherwise participated in formal workshops. This helped ensure that the Action Plan reflected the experiences, priorities and aspirations of a diverse cross-section of the Huon Valley community.
The co-design process reflected the principles of consumer and community leadership by placing local people at the centre of decision-making. Rather than being asked to simply comment on predetermined ideas, community members worked alongside service providers, organisations and other stakeholders to shape solutions based on their lived experience, local knowledge and understanding of what would work in their community.
As well as generating ideas for action, the workshops created opportunities for people to connect, learn from one another, strengthen local relationships and identify opportunities for collaboration. Participants frequently highlighted the value of bringing together people from different backgrounds and sectors to work towards a shared goal of improving community health and wellbeing.
The result was a community-owned Action Plan that not only identified priority areas for action but also established a foundation for ongoing collaboration, partnership and community-led change across the Huon Valley.
Feedback on the workshops was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants expressing a desire for similar community-led conversations and co-design opportunities to continue into the future.
Action Plan Workshop – Why get involved?
Action Plan
Action 1
Improve access to information
Action 2
Improve the capacity of the community to care for their mental health
Action 3
Support existing / establish new Health and Wellbeing Hubs that meet the needs of each community
Action 4
Capacity building through training
Action 5
Exploring transport solutions
Action 6
Improve access to primary care in the region (including after-hours and continuity of care)
Action 7
Increase opportunities for all community members to ‘get active’
Action 8
Promote healthy eating and improve access to fresh affordable food
What would success look like?
- Places and people in each community that are known sources of reliable health and wellbeing information, who support the navigation of health systems
- Effective debrief and support for people who are providing information and referrals
- Effective and well-utilised communication channels between each ‘Hub’ and mainstream health services, complementary and alternative health services and the broader community
- A resilient community that is empowered when it comes to their health and wellness
- The Voice of the Community is included in decision making processes and service delivery
- Primary health care in the Huon Valley is accessible for those requiring it and sustainable for those providing it
- Health providers and consumers have the opportunity to be involved in setting and working towards agreed priorities for improving healthcare in the region
- More people participating in physical activity in the Huon Valley
- A range of activities cater for the diverse needs of each community
- A thriving network of spaces within each community where people grow and eat food, socialise and connect which will lead to an increase in knowledge and skills about how to grow and prepare food