Master Project
By: Gitte Ejlskov Schrøder
Stud. Master in Learning Processes specializing in Public Capacity Building and Co-production. Professional Bachelor in Physiotherapy
Title: Evaluation of potential connection between lay actors participating in group co-production and their recovery.

Abstract
Background:
Co-production between professionals and citizens is in the Danish Mental Health Care seen as a way of qualifying the Mental Health Care services for citizens with mental illness. The purpose of this is to increase the recovery of people with mental illness. In co-production theories, there is the assumption that co-production increases the effect and the outcome for the intended recipients. However, there are still only a few empirical studies to substantiate this and only very little focus on the impact on the lay actors who participate in co-productions for people other than themselves. My intention has been to get an answer to: What has the experience of participating in group co-production in a Mental Health Care department in Herning meant to the lay actors? Furthermore, whether the participants attribute the recovery experienced, to their participation in group co-production?

Discussion:
Empirical evidence from focus group interviews of four participants from the group co-production in Skovlyset has provided the basis for the conclusion of the study. The scientific theoretical approach is social constructivism and the theoretical perspective used for analyzing and discussing the research are theories of co-production, social construction, the “Helper Therapy” principle and recovery. This Study can provide new knowledge for the Mental Health Care department in Herning in relation to the current group co-production. This Study can also contribute to a dialogue and inspiration for further research on the relationship between group co-production and the participating lay actors’ recovery

Conclusion:
The study indicates that lay actors have unique competencies through their common language of experience with other citizens with mental health issues. Group co-production seems to provide the opportunity to train emotional and social skills and to be an arena where lay actors can alter the public stigma of people with mental illness as someone who is incompetent to an active and skilled citizen. The study also indicates that group co-production can be an arena for self-development and recovery through active citizenship, meaningful activities, an accepting and equitable collaborative environment, where the lay actors have no predetermined recovery goals and without direct intervention from professionals. The study also indicates that lay actors participating in group co-production can increase recovery, but the experience taps the energy of the participant at the same time. In spite of this, it seems that lay actors can learn new skills and build resilience through challenging experiences.

Keywords: Group co-production; Lay actors, Recovery, Social construction, The “Helper Therapy” principle