At Making Space, we believe co-production shouldn’t be a tick-box exercise, it should be a living, breathing part of care and support. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Making it Real G.A.M.E: a creative, practical, interactive tool that transforms the Making It Real framework into a fun and meaningful group activity.
The game is available to buy from us for £40 plus P&P. Every penny of the money raised goes directly to our frontline services to support those who need it.
Our Making It Real G.A.M.E is a creative co-production tool that brings the Making It Real framework to life.
The Making It Real G.A.M.E — short for Guided Approach to Meaningful Engagement — transforms the Making It Real framework into an interactive board game that makes co-production practical, playful, and powerful.
The G.A.M.E creates space for honest conversations, strengthens partnerships between staff and the people who draw on support, and brings co-production to life in everyday practice. At its core are a series of co-produced “I” statements that help teams focus on what truly matters to individuals. It’s not just a game; it’s a catalyst for culture change.
It builds confidence, strengthens partnerships, and creates a shared sense of responsibility for improving care. Whether used in group settings or one-to-one planning, it ensures every voice is heard, valued, and acted upon.
Through colourful boards, conversation cards, and shared reflection, teams explore what’s working well, what could be improved, and how services can become more person-centred. It’s designed to break down barriers, build genuine partnerships, and embed co-production in everyday practice.
Launched earlier this year, the game has already been used across Making Space services, including in extra care housing to peer support groups. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive – our Liverpool services even used it over breakfast and crumpets, sparking laughter, ideas, and genuine connection.
The game costs £40 plus £4 p&p. Bulk orders of over 10 games price and delivery on application. To order please email [email protected]
The Making It Real G.A.M.E includes:
- A colourful board
- A “Making It Real Plan” to record actions and outcomes
- A matching die and colour-coded conversation starter cards
Each card links to one of the six Making It Real themes, with clear “I” statements like:
- “I can get information and advice that helps me plan my life.”
- “I am treated with dignity and respect.”
- “I feel safe and welcome in my community.”
As teams play together—made up of staff and people with lived experience—they explore what’s working well and what could be better. A timekeeper keeps the game moving, a note-taker captures insights, and the experience becomes a platform for improvement and learning.
- Cost-effective benefits of the G.A.M.E
- Reduces training costs - embeds learning into everyday practice, minimising the need for additional formal training sessions.
- Maximises existing time and resources - no extra staffing or cover required, can be used during existing meetings, support sessions, or group activities.
- Low-cost, high-impact tool - provides a practical and engaging method to evidence co-production for CQC inspections and other quality frameworks, without expensive external tools or consultants.
- Scalable and flexible - one set can be used repeatedly across teams, services and locations, making it a one-time investment with long-term value.
The G.A.M.E is more than a tool, it’s a movement. A simple, scalable way to bring co-production into the heart of care services, strengthen relationships, and improve outcomes for everyone involved.
Nationally recognised!
It’s been recognised nationally and was crowned the winner of the 2025 Care Innovation Challenge, and was showcased at The Care Show, Birmingham NEC. 
The Care Innovation Challenge, delivered by the National Care Forum, is a national incubator for bold and creative ideas designed to improve the future of care. Each year, the competition brings together innovators, care professionals, and people with lived experience to collaborate, co-design, and pitch new ways of working that make a difference.
Winning this challenge means we can now take the Making It Real G.A.M.E to the next level, developing new versions, testing it in more settings, and helping even more people experience meaningful co-production.