Making Space named semi-finalist in the Care Innovation Challenge 2025 with Co-Pro GAME

Published 14 July 2025

At the end of June, a team from Making Space took part in an inspiring and fast-paced weekend in Coventry, joining innovators from across the country at the Care Innovation Challenge 2025 – a national incubator for bold, creative ideas in the care sector.

Keri Smith (Director of Development) and Rachel Horton (Regional Head) were joined by Liam and Ben, members of our Making Change Group and people we support, for two days of workshops, mentoring, and collaboration. Together, they introduced a prototype of the Making It Real Game, explored how it could evolve for a wider audience, and co-designed what is now the Co-Pro GAME – a Guided Approach to Meaningful Engagement. Liam and Ben took centre stage, presenting the idea to over 50 attendees and confidently answering panel questions.

We’re proud to share that following the event, Making Space was named a semi-finalist in this year’s challenge – a recognition of the innovation, co-production, and lived experience that power our approach.

While the Making It Real Game will continue to be used internally, the weekend gave us a springboard to shape the tool for wider use – and the Co-Pro GAME was born.

Liam said:

I really enjoyed the weekend, getting involved with everything and talking to people about how Making Space has changed my life. I love the game because it gets people talking. It’s the best ice breaker. Once you start playing, you realise you’re not alone – you’ve got people in the same boat as you.

Keri added:

We’re so proud of Liam and Ben and everything they brought to the semi-final. Their passion, confidence, and lived experience really brought the Co-Pro GAME to life.

Co-production isn’t a buzzword at Making Space – it’s how we work. It’s also a core focus of our 2024–2029 Strategy, Recipe for Success. From co-designing services to embedding lived experience in leadership, we believe in sharing power and building together. The Co-Pro GAME captures that spirit in a fun, accessible way that sparks meaningful change.

Based on the Making It Real framework, the board game is a creative, interactive board game designed to help teams build genuine partnerships, spark open and honest conversations, and embed co-production into everyday care. With a colourful board, themed conversation cards, and a simple action plan, it’s more than just a game – it’s a catalyst for culture change, bringing together people with lived experience and staff to focus on what truly matters.

Already a winner of the Housing with Care Award for Tenant Co-Production, the game is proving its value across Making Space. Practical, scalable and high impact, it’s ideal for settings like recovery centres, extra care housing and peer groups, strengthening co-production without the need for extra staffing or costly training.

We’re now preparing for the Care Innovation Challenge Final at the NEC Birmingham in October, where we’ll pitch our Co-Pro GAME to a panel of judges and the Care Show audience. Finalists will compete for a £1,000 prize to support development and roll-out.

Thanks to our semi-final win, we’ve already received £500 to help bring the prototype to life, and we're using every penny to get this powerful tool into the hands of the people and services who need it most.

The Co-Pro GAME is more than a tool, it’s a movement. And with your support, we’ll continue to build a care sector where every voice matters, and co-production leads the way.

Stay tuned for more updates as we head to Birmingham!

Click here to learn more about co-production at Making Space or to get involved, contact us at co-production@makingspace.co.uk.