What does it mean to bring lived experience into the heart of public services — not just as a voice, but as a driver of real change? In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with Pete Fleischmann, Director of Co-production Works, who shares how his own experience of mental health challenges — and disillusionment with traditional psychiatric care — led him to champion co-production and peer support across health and social care. With roots in the mental health survivor movement and decades of work spanning research, consultancy, and service redesign, Pete reflects on: Why traditional mental health services didn’t work for him The power of co-production to transform systems What peer support and psychotherapy offer that services sometimes miss How Zen meditation, cycling, and connection keep him grounded The story behind Co-production Week and SCIE’s widely-used principles Whether you're working in mental health, social care, or just curious about what genuine co-production looks like — this is a conversation about purpose, persistence, and the people-first future we can build together. Learn more about With You and our peer support communities at with-you.co.uk Find out more about Pete and his work at coproductionworks.co.uk