In 2014-15, Neami National (NN) adopted a co-design approach to develop, implement and evaluate sustainability focus groups with consumer participants living with a mental illness. The co-design process and resulting focus groups aimed to collect consumer perspectives about the importance of various ecotherapy options (activities in green environments) on their recovery from a mental illness and ongoing wellbeing.

Connecting with nature and being active in green environments is associated with substantial benefits in physical and mental wellbeing, boosting mood and self-esteem far more than exercising in ‘non-green’ environments or indoors (Mind UK, 2007; University of Essex, 2013).
The NN consumer participants who took part in the focus groups placed highest value on:
• opportunities to connect with nature as a relaxation strategy and positive mood enhancer;
• skills to source, prepare and eat healthy, fresh and seasonal produce; and
• creating community and social opportunities around focused sustainable living activities such as gardening, cooking, outings into nature, mindfulness in nature, art in nature, conservation activities and exercise outdoors.

While community gardening opportunities have long been a part of many community mental health services, these findings indicate that consumers see ecotherapy activities as beyond just gardening and as important to their recovery and wellbeing. While the focus groups collected feedback from a small sample of 30 consumers, the information is a valuable resource to inform improvements in service delivery and practice at NN. Furthermore the co-design process was a valuable experience for Neami staff and consumers, resulting in improvements in the evaluation and planning of NN’s sustainable living programs.

Human Rights Conventions and Australian Policy clearly articulate the right of consumers to be actively involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of services as well as full inclusion in society. To move beyond tokenistic and ad hoc processes Neami National is implementing a whole of organisation change process to transform the relationship between the Neami workforce and people who access Neami services. Co designed with consumers, the consumer participation framework articulates a strategy that builds capacity for consumer learning and leadership to challenge attitudes and increase worker’s understanding of how participation can move beyond the “us and them” space.

The consumer participation framework uses principles of co- production to bring workers and consumers together recognising the range of the skills and talents that everybody brings to the table and ensuring all information is shared. In this way participants are not differentiated by their consumer or worker status alone. Through specific examples this presentation aims to demonstrate how this change process will create pathways for a new leadership to emerge and progress participation opportunities at Neami service sites, across all organisational functions and in the community.