This week marks a significant moment in the ongoing COVID-19 Inquiry, focusing on the Care Sector from 30 June to 31 July 2025, as part of Module 6.

It is crucial that we do not forget the immense challenges faced during the pandemic — especially by those working tirelessly within care settings, as well as the deaf and disabled communities and their carers.

We want to extend our deepest thanks to all those who are giving evidence this week, including many of our colleagues and friends. Their dedication to advocating, influencing policy, and sharing lived experiences shines a vital light on the realities of the pandemic. It’s these voices — the people at the heart of the crisis — that hold the key to understanding and learning from this moment in history.

At People’s Voice Media, we are proud to have contributed to this important conversation through our work exploring the experiences of deaf and disabled people and carers during COVID-19. Our report and video testimonies reveal the resilience, challenges, and strength of communities often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

We invite you to read our full report and watch these powerful videos. By listening to and sharing these lived experiences, we help ensure that future policies are truly informed by those they impact most.

The lessons of COVID-19 are still unfolding, but one thing is clear: the stories of people matter. Let us keep listening.

Explore our report and videos here:  

• #NationalCareForum
• #NCF
• #SocialCare
• #CareSector
• #CareProviders
• #CareQuality
• #SocialCareSupport
• #CareWorkforce
• #CareReform
• #AdultSocialCare

A Blog Post by Jacqueline Darlington – Carer, Mum, Community Equipment User

There’s a quiet power in bringing people together. Recently, I joined a brilliant knowledge exchange filled with people who get it—carers, equipment User, prescribers, commissioners—all with one shared focus: community equipment.

What stood out wasn’t shiny new gadgets. It was people. People talking about co-production, timely access, and how the smallest things—like a properly placed grab rail or the right seating—can make the biggest difference.

As a mum to Joshua, who relies on equipment every day, and as someone who uses it myself, I know equipment is about choice, control, and dignity. It’s about staying in our own homes, living gloriously ordinary lives, and not feeling like we’re doing it alone.

Someone at the event said, “It’s the peer support and solidarity that keeps me going—knowing I’m not the only one navigating this.” That stayed with me.

Sharing our lived experiences isn’t just powerful—it’s essential. It’s how we reimagine a future where people like us help shape the systems meant to support us. Manufacturers, commissioners, prescribers—listen to our stories.

What next? We’re not sure. But what we do know is: we’re coming back together. And we’ll keep raising our voices until the system hears us.

“Equipment matters because people matter.” – Isaac Samuels, 2024

Find out about Co-Production on the TLAP website linked here.

Head over to the Community Reporter Website to see the Equipment Matters Film and explore the full set of stories – including Jacqui’s!

Want to discover what Gloriously Ordinary Lives are doing in the world of support? See how they are building a movement that is working to check whether or not someone who might need some support is getting to live the life they choose and the support they get is helping and not getting in the way. Check out their site here.

See what Medequip have to say about their involvement in this work on their page.

In this blog Isaac Samuels introduces key themes and recommendations from the ‘Understanding Anti-Racism in Co-Production Spaces’ report supported by us and People’s Voice Media

Over the past year, myself (Isaac Samuels) and Samantha-Jane Ofoegbu have been on a deeply emotional and transformative journey, exploring the experiences of individuals from racialised backgrounds involved in co-production. This journey has shed light on the unique challenges, inequities, and at times, painful realities that emerge in these spaces. We have seen that co-production, though considered to be collaborative and equitable, can too often become a space where systemic racism is perpetuated.

As part of this work, we’ve gathered over 30 personal stories and produced an insight report that brings to the forefront the voices of those too often overlooked in these processes. Through numerous sense-making workshops, we have collectively explored the key findings, delving into how we can reshape these spaces to create more inclusive experiences for individuals from the global majority.

It’s fair to say that co-production is not immune to racism. It is, in fact, a space where inequities often play out, consciously or unconsciously. This was made all the more apparent during our two “Conversations of Change,” where we invited people to respond to our initial findings and offer their insights on what we, as a community, can do to increase inclusivity. The stories shared during these conversations, were both heart-breaking and all too familiar to those of us from racialised backgrounds.

One comment that has stayed with me is:

“You can’t do co-production without talking about racism.”

This simple but powerful statement speaks volumes. Co-production is meant to break down barriers and foster collaboration, yet without addressing racism head-on, we risk replicating the very hierarchies we seek to dismantle. True co-production must start with an honest conversation about race and power.

Want to find out more about this project, including the list of recommendations that emerged from this piece of work? Visit the Co-Production Collective Blog here.

Thank you to People’s Voice Media, Co-Production Collective and everyone from the global majority community who took part in this work for their support and commitment to this project. Thanks also to Kareen Cox of Absolutely Kareen for her illustrations that help us bring the report to life. For further infotmation please contact Co-Production Collective via email on coproduction@ucl.ac.uk and People’s Voice Media via email on enquires@peoplesvoicemedia.co.uk

Are you passionate about social justice, community development, or changing societal narratives? Do you have a story that could shift perspectives and inspire change? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

We are proud to launch Amplifying Voices 2025-2026, a new change makers programme in partnership with People’s Voice Media (PVM) and Co-Production Collective, funded by The National Lottery. This initiative is designed specifically for individuals from the global majority—Black, Brown, and racialised communities—who want to develop new skills, strengthen their expertise, and make a real impact in their communities.

At People’s Voice Media and Co-Production Collective, we are committed to being actively anti-racist organisations. We recognise the power of lived experience and the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping a more just society. This programme is about amplifying the voices of those who are too often unheard or ignored—because while communities speak out loudly and clearly, decisions are too often made without them.

Whether your passion lies in climate change, carers’ rights, housing, or any other issue close to your heart, this is your opportunity to make your voice heard and turn your vision into action.

This programme will equip you with essential tools and skills, including digital storytelling, facilitation, and story curation, to help you craft and share your message effectively.

We are looking for 10 changemakers to take part in this unique journey. The programme is designed to provide you with the guidance, connections, and resources needed to bring your project to life—whether it’s a small initiative or a large-scale movement.

Want to find out more and apply for a place? visit the Co-Production Collective Blog here.

So, if you’re ready to tell your story, make an impact, and shape the future of social justice, this is your moment. Don’t hesitate – apply now and join us in amplifying the voices of the global majority. We can’t wait to welcome you to the programme. Let’s create change together. 🚀

At People’s Voice Media, we’ve been working with the Bronte Youth and Community Centre in Liverpool, helping young people shape the future of their space through Community Reporting.

The Bronte is a vibrant youth organisation offering activities for children and young adults aged 5 to 18, as well as young people with additional needs up to 25. As they renovate their community hub, they wanted to ensure young people played a key role in shaping its future—enter Community Reporting!

Over six creative sessions, young people explored their vision for the space, using collages, clay sculptures, model buildings, and recorded interviews. They interviewed peers, community members, and staff, capturing a rich tapestry of hopes and ideas. From karaoke nights and fashion shows to football tournaments and gardening projects, their enthusiasm was infectious!

These ideas will directly influence how the Bronte’s renovated space is used, shaping sessions, activities, and even the role young people play in its future. We’ll be compiling an insight report from their recorded stories to guide decision-making. Looking ahead, in 2025, we’ll deliver train-the-trainer workshops to equip staff and community members with the skills to sustain Community Reporting long-term. Watch this space for more stories and updates!

Want to learn more about The Bronte? Check out their website to see what’s happening for young people in Liverpool.