Co-design Lab

Understanding Co-design
16 November 2017

In the development of new products, services, and experiences for people living with dementia, it is critical not only that their experiences shape how decisions are made, but that their inclusion in the process is appropriate and meaningful. Frameworks for participation exists – such as the notion of co-design – but more needs to be done to understand what collaboration means for different creative partners in this process, and the ends to which co-design can, and should, be put.

Our Third development lab began with a morning co-design session run by the Dementia Engagement & Empowerment Project (DEEP). Bringing members of the of the Dementia Connect team together with people living with dementia and their care partners from The Liverpool Service User Reference Forum (SURF), Chinese Wellbeing, African Elders and Retain WellBeing, this session laid the foundation a Dementia Charter for arts, cultural, and design organisations to be included as part of our innovation model.

In the afternoon, four sessions led by experts in the field addressed the role of co-design research methods including people living with dementia in 1) driving innovation in the creative industries domain; 2) creating dementia friendly neighbourhoods; 3) addressing the challenges faced by under-represented groups and communities; and 4) in enabling arts & cultural organisations to become centres for social action and learning in the dementia field.

Creative and Research voucher projects funded in this round:

DEEP Hub Protocol – The Narrative Experience of Dementia

Photography: Alzbeta Kovandova