The National Co-production Advisory Group, or NCAG, is a membership body made up of people who draw on care and support.
NCAG’s role is to ensure that co-production – and what matters most to people – is at the heart of TLAP’s work to personalise care and support.
NCAG works to:
- promote personalised care and support at a national, regional and local level
- work with the Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) partnership to make sure that what we do is fully co-produced with people who access services, carers and citizens
- offer organisations help with Making it Real for delivering good personalised care and support, as well as development sessions around co-production.
Co-Chairs
Isaac Samuels OBE
For over 25 years I’ve been involved in community-based social justice, focusing on equitable opportunities for marginalised communities. Central to my work is storytelling and the language we use to talk about people. Driven by empathy, I’m committed to keep pushing for change until equality is a reality for everyone. Outside of work you’ll find me with my dogs and friends. For me, good company and laughter are essential ingredients for a fulfilling life.
Kate Sibthorp
My daughter, Maddy, is my inspiration to work for better care and support for disabled people and family carers. Life can be tough. We need social care and the NHS to enable and support us to live our best lives with physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. I believe in inclusion; equality and equity; choice and control. And the best way to work for a better future is in co-production with people who access services.
Meet the members of NCAG
Jennifer Pearl
By drawing on my lived experience, I can highlight the negatives as well as the positives. Some days I might be hosting a workshop and others, be on stage at a national conference. I love this variety and the process of co-production gives me confidence that we can implement changes for the better despite the challenges. Nothing is or should be insurmountable. After all, I’ve managed to fly an aeroplane and drive a racing car!
Paula Sardinha
I’ve accessed health and social care for over 14 years due to long-term health conditions and a fluctuating, debilitating disability. My experiences have spurred my passion for co-producing change. Through my work I champion imaginative thinking, bottom-up leadership, and sharing knowledge. Embracing life fully, I’ve achieved adrenaline-fueled dreams like whitewater rafting, zip lining, and skydiving. With my faithful assistance dog by my side, I enjoy being creative through crafting and cooking.
Jacqui Darlington BEM
I passionately campaign for unpaid carers and adults with additional needs, drawing from my own experiences of caring for family members. Engaged with Carers UK and Healthwatch, my advocacy work has appeared on Good Morning Britain and Sky News. In recognition of services to the local community I was awarded a British Empire Medal. Community and family are everything to me, I cherish moments with loved ones sharing music, laughter and stories.
Jenny Carter
I’m a proud self-advocate who has autistic spectrum condition, dyspraxia and epilepsy. Alongside my role at NCAG, I’m a director for self-advocacy group Together All Are Able and the News Hound for North West Training and Development Team. A graduate of Partners in Policymaking, I’m passionate about personalisation and self-advocacy. In my free time I enjoy walking, especially along the canals in Wirral where I live with my Mum.
Rich Amos
An advocate for change and empowerment in care and support, I’m a trustee for various disability and community-focused organisations. My personal experiences drive my commitment to co-production and strategy. I’m in my happy place when working alongside people and communities, supporting them to raise aspirations and advocating for inclusive, person-centred care. Outside of daily life, I love exploring different parts of the world. For someone who’s in a wheelchair, I don’t like sitting still!
Vicky Forfar
I’m a self-advocate based in Wirral. I have autism, learning disabilities and mild depression. I felt there was a lack of services suitable to support me so I took matters into my own hands and helped set up Together All Are Able, a self-advocacy organisation. Many doors have opened since then and I’ve been involved in lots of co-production work. Alongside this, I’m a Zumba instructor, and I encourage people with disabilities to get involved.
Caroline Waugh
Proud NCAG member for over a decade, I advocate for social justice, co-production, and equality. I have a direct payment that enables me to get the support I need for my physical disability and brain damage. I have two children who were young when I became a single mum with a disability. For co-creating Sheffield Cycling 4 All, I was a torch bearer in the 2012 Olympics. I also love dogs, nature, food and wine.
Alison Owen
I have a mild learning disability and I’m also a passionate member of NCAG. Together with TLAP we talk about care and support and try to make it work better for everyone. I also work at Speakup as a trainer with lived experience of a learning disability, a self-advocate, and a peer advocate. I think all services should be person-centred, so that people’s thoughts and feelings are always considered.