This is us!

Gwendolyn Sterk is CEO of the Co-production Network for Wales, working to embed the practice of co-production and involvement in public and third sector services. Gwendolyn has a deep commitment to addressing societal inequalities through collective action in civil society. Throughout her career she has been driven by the importance of creating spaces for people to speak truth to power. Within her background in the violence against women sector, she worked to ensure women’s lived experience was central in driving change in national legislation, improving service provision and changing attitudes internationally. She was the UK Expert on the European Women’s Lobby Observatory on VAWG 2016-22. She has an MSc in International Relations and Gender researching the use of UN conventions by transnational feminist movements.

I lead and support the delivery of our Public Services Involvement Programme. My role is to bring together people and resources to support Public Services Boards to better demonstrate their ability to do co-production and involvement. I’ve been working at the Co-production Network since 2018. I love that I get to be part of supporting communities and professionals to work and grow together; and to see the impact that co-production is having in Wales.

I’m interested in participatory and deliberative democracy, and finding new ways of doing things. My background is in the third sector – I’ve worked across health charities and a local Citizens Advice office. I have an MSc in Public Health and a keen interest in research and how it translates (or doesn’t, in some cases) into practice.

Bethany is the point of contact for all network queries. She manages the membership and any queries relating to the network training and events.

Bethany also creates the monthly member newsletter and takes care of our Social Media platforms, keeping you informed of all things co-production. If you have an item you would like included in the newsletter that relates to co-production please forward to Bethany by the second week of the month.

“I am extremely proud to be a part of the Co-pro team, supporting our members and building great relationships along the way.” – Bethany

Emily works on the Public Services Involvement Programme supporting the projects in this programme alongside the PSBs. She will also be coordinating the shared learning (including case studies and events) from the programme. She also supports the Strategic Approaches to Co-Production training.

With a background in the arts and third sector, and having worked on co-production led projects in the past Emily has a strong interest in ensuring education around and use of co-production to support communities.

Treena Davies is a senior consultant with the Co-production Lab Wales, who has worked in public services for over a decade, in both local authority and third sector settings; she brings extensive experience of working with marginalised groups and seldom heard voices, including children and young people, people with disabilities, people with learning disabilities, and people in later life. She is an accomplished and fluent group facilitator, holds excellent project and programme management skills from a planning and delivery perspective, as well as the ability to offer support, supervision, mentoring and coaching for colleagues and other practitioners including at senior level. She creates effective spaces for reflective practice, sharing learning and developing best practice.

Mike Corcoran is an experienced engagement and co-production consultant and the Co-production Network for Wales evaluation lead. He supports Welsh public and third-sector organisations in enhancing co-production practices, helping them share power and responsibility with the people they serve. With extensive skills in designing and evaluating large-scale training and engagement projects, Mike has worked with a diverse global client base, ranging from micro-enterprises to governments. A passionate advocate for public engagement, he has worked directly with over 100,000 people through festivals, conferences, and workshops across the UK. He is widely published on themes of innovation, communication, engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Noreen Blanluet (she/they) is a senior consultant working with Welsh public services, from frontline teams to government. They co-founded the Co-production Network for Wales in 2012, growing it into a sustainable organisation before transitioning to consultancy. Extensively trained in facilitation and dialogue practices, they design spaces where people’s strengths and lived experience drive change. A biologist and systems thinker, Noreen combines a head for systems with a heart for people. They were named a Future Generations Changemaker (2023) and included on the Institute of Welsh Affairs’ “Next Thirty” list (2017).

Dave Horton has over 20 years’ experience in Youth and Community Work in Cardiff and Cape Town. Based in West Cardiff, he led ACE (Action in Caerau and Ely), a nationally celebrated organisation transforming lives in a disadvantaged community. Dave specialises in Asset Based Community Development and Co-production, using these to empower local people to challenge stigma and effect change. He offers significant expertise in the formation, governance, funding, and management of community-led organisations. As former Co-Chair of Citizens Cymru Wales, he utilised community organising to drive social justice and political change. Dave holds an MSc in Community Regeneration.

David Zilkha is a qualified nurse with extensive background in local services, including hospices, mental health, housing, and substance use. In national policy roles, he has addressed Anti-Racism, arts volunteering, and support for unpaid carers. David specialises in creating new services and leading organisations through significant change. Passionate about co-production, he works with staff, volunteers, and citizens to build shared approaches to decision-making. He excels at facilitation, harnessing group dynamics to drive change. His interests also include dance; he has founded inclusive dance communities and produced successful international dance festivals, both commercial and non-profit.

Jo McGreal is based in North West Wales and has a long career of working alongside diverse communities and organisations to create lasting change and has spent much of that time championing community involvement in a variety of settings. Experienced in participatory practice, community led interventions and delivering accessible programmes, Jo is also a PhD researcher with a particular interest in critical realism, community-led organisations, health & wellbeing and asset-based approaches. Over the years, Jo has delivered on a range of contracts for numerous organisations in Wales, across the UK and in Asia. As a practitioner, Jo is skilled in training, development, coaching, evaluation, volunteer management as well as working at a strategic level to build positive partnerships and support cultural change.

Gwenno Edwards is a facilitator dedicated to helping people connect, share ideas, and shape their communities. Her work is rooted in creativity, care, and collaboration. Before joining Co-Production Lab Wales, she co-founded a charity focused on ensuring young people benefit from community regeneration. Gwenno’s experience spans diverse sectors, including conducting research for Welsh National Opera programmes, facilitating strategy workshops for Arts Council Wales, and leading community engagement for cultural venues in London. Currently, she is exploring circular economy practices in Cardiff’s screen sector and engaging teenagers in discussions on culture and identity. Passionate about co-creation and the Welsh language, Gwenno is committed to ensuring every voice is heard.

Mandy has over 30 years’ experience as a facilitator, trainer, and coach in Wales and across the UK. Fully bilingual in Welsh and English, her expertise lies in involvement and co-production practices; she co-authored the National Principles for Public Engagement in Wales. Mandy delivers large- and small-scale engagement activities and is a leadership and management development practitioner, experienced in workplace wellbeing and a qualified Level 7 executive coach. Her diverse skill set includes Myers Briggs, Action Learning, and Reflective Practice facilitation, along with participative evaluation. With an MA in Creative Writing, she brings innovative approaches to community engagement. Passionate about wellbeing, Mandy takes a trauma-informed approach to all her coaching and facilitation.

Dr Rebecca Colley-Jones is a highly experienced facilitator, engagement specialist, and sustainability expert with over 25 years leading community-focused projects across Wales and internationally. Based in North Wales, she is the Director of Ynys Resources Ltd and Chair of the Board at Menter Môn, championing place-based innovation and inclusive economic development. A fluent Welsh speaker, Rebecca brings deep expertise in creative co-production and participatory approaches, ensuring underrepresented voices are heard. Her background spans the public, community, and cultural sectors, including work with the NHS and Menai Science Park. Rebecca specialises in designing collaborative workshops that create social and environmental value through practical, place-based solutions.

John Hallett is a community development practitioner with 25 years’ experience across UK sectors. Grounded in asset-based development and co-production, John bridges statutory and voluntary sectors. He co-founded the award-winning charity ACE (Action in Caerau and Ely) and now works freelance, supporting communities and partnerships to create meaningful, community-led change. His work includes commissioning alliance development for neuro-diverse, learning disability, and mental health services, and supporting Welsh Health Boards and Public Service Boards with planning and evaluation. Committed to practical and creative support, John leverages his extensive experience to help organisations nurture good practice and deliver impactful outcomes.

Gráinne Connolly is an experienced facilitator and community engagement specialist with over 10 years’ experience across Wales’ public, third, and community sectors. She excels at bringing people together to build relationships and develop practical solutions to shared challenges. Throughout her career, Gráinne has designed and facilitated workshops, supported strategic planning, and helped organisations adopt inclusive, collaborative decision-making. Known for her warm, engaging, and practical style, she creates comfortable spaces where people can share experiences, learn from one another, and turn ideas into action.

Gareth Pahl is a Co-production Lab Wales consultant based in South Wales. With extensive experience across health, social care, and education, he specialises in co-production and participatory practice. Gareth has worked significantly in learning disability services and with young people, bringing lived experience of neurodiversity and care. He is a skilled facilitator and project manager, creating inclusive spaces that empower people to contribute. Beyond his consultancy, Gareth is the Artistic Director of Fflamingo CIC, where he leads “House of Deviant,” Wales’ first learning-disabled drag troupe. His work intersects inclusive arts, research, and creativity, using playful, immersive engagement to challenge power imbalances and make co-production meaningful and effective.