Co-producing our Theory of Change

How we created our map for change - together

Creating Equal Care’s Theory of Change was a collective effort. We didn’t want a framework that was written in isolation or only by the people who hold power in the organisation. Instead, we brought together a wide range of voices—people giving and receiving support, family members, volunteers, team and Circle members—to help shape the roadmap that guides how we create change in our model of care.

Co-producing a Theory of Change (ToC) means more than simply consulting people. It means involving those most impacted in identifying what needs to change, how that change might happen, and what steps we need to take to get there. It ensures the framework reflects the lived experience, insight and values of those at the heart of the co-op.

An Evaluation Workshop with participants of the Pilot Project in Clapton Commons

Why co-produce?

Co-producing the ToC ensures:

• Inclusivity: It draws on the diverse perspectives of care receivers, givers, and community members.

• Shared ownership: Everyone involved helps to shape the process and takes part in building the solution.

• Clarity and alignment: The final result reflects shared goals and a common direction.

• Strategic planning: The process helps surface key assumptions, risks, and steps for change.

• Stronger accountability: It provides a basis for evaluating whether we are living up to our values and purpose.

How we did it

We hosted a 6-hour co-production workshop in Clapton with people from Equal Care’s Clapton Circle and wider local community. This involved:

1. Welcome and introductions We set the tone for a collaborative, safe and creative space. Participants introduced themselves and explored the concept of care as a commons.

2. Rich picture mapping In groups, people drew visual maps of their experiences of the current care system: who’s involved, what works, what’s missing.

3. Identifying change goals Groups then shared what they’d like to see change. This included things like more inclusive decision-making, better support for unpaid carers, and stronger relationships between people giving and receiving care.

4. Mapping the causal chain Using sticky notes and flipcharts, participants built causal chains linking activities, outputs, outcomes and long-term impacts. They asked: what do we need to do to make these changes real?

5. Sharing and refining Each group shared their Theory of Change map, followed by whole-group discussion to find common threads and refine ideas together.

6. Closing and next steps Everyone reflected on what they’d learned and how the ToC would shape the future work of Equal Care, with a commitment to keep co-producing as we grow.

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📥 Download the workshop outline below:

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Co-Producing a Theory of Change Workshop Outline.pdf

pdf

Supporting Iterative Learning

A Theory of Change encourages ongoing learning and adaptation. It helps define methods for continuous monitoring and formative evaluation, allowing organisations to make real-time adjustments based on what is being learned.

In our case, the first iteration of Equal Care’s Theory of Change relied heavily on untested assumptions: particularly around how different parts of our model contribute to one of our core goals: enabling care and support to exist in greater abundance.

The recent pilot of Commons-based care offered a chance to test some of these assumptions. Through this, we developed a more detailed understanding of the pathways that support this goal. Our updated ToC now maps more precisely the outcomes and impacts linked to promoting community ownership and better integration with local care and support networks.