In what ways can an age-friendly approach to co-production transfer power to participants? Translating ideology into practice

Abstract

This article contributes to conversations about co-production by examining a voluntary sector organisation’s programme of work aiming to help develop age-friendly places. Using perspectives from older people and voluntary sector professionals involved in the project at both a strategic management and local level, this study examines two key issues. First, it develops understandings of co-production by examining the precise ways in which rhetoric is reflected in practice with a project operating across a number of age-friendly domains and working with different sectors. Specifically, it examines the tensions involved in transferring power to community actors, yet managing the process to ensure older people are supported in developing projects that involve and are representative of their wider population. Second, in assessing the role of the voluntary sector in negotiating cross-sector partnerships, it contributes to debates around the role of the voluntary sector in service delivery during reduced public spending.