Improving Information Coproduction Group

Overview

Sefton Council, people who have different communication needs and other
partners are working together to change the way information is provided to
residents in Sefton. The project is driven by the passion and drive of all those involved, and they are spreading the word across the whole of Sefton that making information accessible is everyone’s responsibility.

What has the Improving Information Coproduction Group done so far?

The group meets four times a year and has agreed its own objectives and identified areas where improvements were needed. This is some of the work that the group has developed so far: -

• A top tips guide for communicating in an accessible way.
• A short film made by the group sharing their experiences of receiving  communication from the Council in a format they cannot use. 
• An accessible information e-learning training session for the Council and partners, that has also been delivered to Elected Members.
• Helped organise visual impairment awareness training.
• The development of an Accessible Information Advocate programme
  and council wide training and skill development.- over 70 members of staff are now Advocates.
• Helped to design the Adult Social Care webpage.
• Helping to make changes to other webpages, so that the information is accurate and in accessible formats.

Who is involved in the group?

• People with different communication needs.
• People First Merseyside
• Southport Access for Everyone
• Merseyside Society for Deaf People
• Southport Older Peoples Forum
• Galloways Society for the Blind (Southport)
• Healthwatch Sefton
• Sefton Council staff and Accessible Information Advocates

Why your views matter

“Being part of the Improving
Information Group is important to
all the members of People First
Merseyside. We have campaigned
for a long time for information in
a way we can understand, and
this group has shown that if we
all work together, we can make a
difference.”

Phil, People First Merseyside

The Group has successfully engaged with Council departments and
regularly act as a critical friend by reviewing and guiding on things such
as new policies, consultations, and service redesign. This has led to real
improvements for people in Sefton.  

If you have a different communication need and/or want to help improve the way the Council provides information, please contact us about getting involved.

At the end of the survey you will be asked if you want to give an email address so that you can receive a copy of your response. You do not have to do this. The email address is only used to send the email to you from Your Sefton Your Say. The email address will not be stored with the responses and Sefton Council will not have access it, unless you have given your email address as part of the survey.