Step Together: Reflecting On A Collaborative 2025

To wrap up 2025, Devon Mental Health Alliance’s Co-Production Lead Cindy Dale has written her reflection on our Plymouth Co-Production Group, Step Together, and their collaborative journey this year.

Cindy said “This year has been a busy and meaningful one for Step Together, the DMHA Plymouth Co-production group. Members have shared their time, energy and lived experience across a wide range of projects, from co-producing our first Mental Health and Wellbeing Day to sitting on interview panels to varied consultation involvement across the city and wider Devon. Alongside this, members have been invited to take part in relaxing, creative and fun activities, including summer and Christmas socials. Throughout it all, our focus has been on people, kindness and meaningful relationship building.

At the start of 2025, the group came together for a sound bath session. This was a chance to slow down, breathe and rest, and people spoke about the real benefits they felt from taking part. Step Together have also worked closely with Livewell on several projects, including the redesign of the Glenbourne website, ensuring lived experience helped shape something more accessible and meaningful for the people who use it.

From April, the group began planning our first Mental Health and Wellbeing Open Day in Plymouth city centre. Inspired by a successful community appointment day run by a physiotherapy team in Surrey, the group wanted to create an event to showcase the variety of community and statutory services that were available to Plymouth’s residents. The group felt like this was a way of addressing the fact that people often just don’t know what is in the city to support their mental health! The planning took time and collaboration, and it all came together on the 13th November. The day was a big success in terms of number of attendees and positive feedback from stall holders and people accessing the space. Another one is planned for 2026.

Another highlight of the year was the opportunity to take part in three clay art sessions, where participants created, painted and glazed their own pieces. The sessions were spoken about very positively, with people reflecting on the calming impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Some shared that working with the clay eased stress and helped them feel calmer. The group greatly valued the experience. DMHA would like to thank Marie Crandell, a student at Plymouth College of Art, for guiding the sessions with warmth and care.

The year ended on a lighter note with the Christmas social, bowling and sharing a meal together in a local pub — a chance to relax, laugh and celebrate the hard work of the group. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone in Step Together for their hard work and dedication this year. Your expertise, lived experience and commitment continue to be invaluable in ensuring the Devon Mental Health Alliance stay connected and person-centred.”

From all of us at the Devon Mental Health Alliance, we would like to say thank you. Thank you to Cindy for being an incredible Co-production lead. Thank you to the organisations who have collaborated with Step Together this year. Most importantly, and the biggest thank you of all, to the members of Step Together who are a vital and insightful element of the DMHA team.

To all of our communities and fellow organisations, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

See you in 2026!