Co-producers wanted for new Scope and Trussell research about Personal Independence Payment

Co-producers wanted for new Scope and Trussell research about Personal Independence Payment

Scope and Trussell are looking for 5 disabled people to join us as co-producers on a new project. This project will be on Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Who are Scope?

We are Scope. We’re here to create an equal future with disabled people. We campaign to transform attitudes to disability, tackle injustice and inspire action. We create opportunities and provide information and support that empowers.

Who are Trussell?

We’re an anti-poverty charity and community of food banks. We work to ensure no one in the UK needs a food bank to survive, while providing emergency and practical support for people left without enough money to live on.

What is the role?

Scope and Trussell are looking for 5 disabled people to join us as co-producers on a new project. This project will be about Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

This year, Scope and Trussell are doing a new piece of research into how disabled people want PIP to be reformed. We want to work with disabled people to design a set of principles for PIP, which will shape how the benefit works. We will then make recommendations to the government on how to improve PIP in ways that make positive and meaningful changes for disabled people.

Co-producers will work with the policy teams at Scope and Trussell. Together, we will produce this research and policy recommendations. As a co-producer, you will work with us to understand people’s experiences, review research and make recommendations for public policy changes.

We want disabled people who have experience of PIP to join us on the project. This could be that you get PIP, used to get PIP, are applying for PIP or that you have applied for PIP but did not get it.

What is the project?

PIP was introduced in 2013 to help disabled people with their extra costs. For many disabled people, it is a lifeline that helps us pay for our essentials. But for years, disabled people have told us about the challenges they face when they try to get PIP. This includes the application process, going through assessments or getting the right award.

This year, the UK Government are planning to make changes to the benefits system. This includes changes to PIP. We want to see positive changes made to PIP so that more disabled people can access it. We also want people to get the right support when they do.

Our project will be co-produced. We will create policy recommendations which bring about the changes that we want to see made to PIP. We want to redesign the basics of PIP so that there is a positive vision behind the benefit. This is instead of a system based on fear and distrust.

How long does the project run?

We want to start this project as soon as possible. Our work together will likely run through to September 2025. There is a chance it could be shorter or longer, depending on how the project goes. Political changes might also affect how long the project runs for.

We estimate that our co-producers will be doing up to 5 hours of work a month on the project with us.

We will work between 9am and 5pm Mondays to Fridays. You are not expected to do any work on the project at the weekends.

How will we be working?

We will do most of the project work online on Microsoft Teams and by sharing digital files over email.

We will work with our co-producers so that they get the reasonable adjustments they need. Or any support they need to take part.

What would I be working on?

We are looking for 5 co-producers to join us from the beginning to the end of this project. You will be a part of the main project team responsible for running the project. This includes working with the team to:

• Make decisions about the aims and outcomes of the project.
• Plan how we carry out the research.
• Helping to run a Lived Experience Panel of disabled people,. This panel will contribute their opinions and ideas to the project.
• Use research findings to make policy recommendations for the government. We will also make recommendations for other organisations we want to influence. Such as the Department for Work and Pensions.
• Contribute to important documents such as research reports.

We are looking for disabled people who have experience with PIP

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Are disabled. Scope and Trussell use the social model of disability. In this model, disabled people aren't disabled people by their impairment or difference. Instead, people are disabled by barriers in society. You do not need to have a diagnosis or describe yourself as disabled.
• Have experience with PIP. This could be that you get PIP, used to get PIP, are applying for PIP or have applied and did not get it.
• We would particularly like to hear from people who have needed support from a food bank. But this is not essential. But this is not essential.
• Have interest or any experience working in policy, research and campaigns. Particularly around disability benefits and the UK benefits systems. You do not need to have any experience of public policy, campaigning or research to take part.
• Are aged 18 or over.
• The project will run for at least 10 months. We would like to have people who can be part of this work during that period.

Are there any conditions?

• At Scope, we remunerate our co-producers £25 per hour.
• You’ll be doing up to 5 hours of work per month for 10 months on this project.
• As a co-producer, you will be responsible for declaring your remuneration where needed. For example, to your benefits adviser.
• You cannot take part in another Scope project at the same time as this one.

How do I apply?

If you would like to be a co-producer for this project then please email us an expression of interest. Please email this to the project manager, Frankie, at Frankie.Bowyer@scope.org.uk

In your email, please tell us your lived experience of PIP, any skills you have that you think are relevant. We would also like to know why you are interested in the project.

You can send this to us in the format which suits you best. This could be a written email, a video or a voice note, for instance.

Someone else can email us for you, such as a carer, if you don’t have access to a computer. Make sure that the person who emails for you has your permission. Please also make sure they include some contact information for you.

You can email Frankie if you have any questions about the project. Or, if you would like to know more about becoming a co-producer.

Is there a deadline to apply?

If you are interested in applying, please email Frankie.Bowyer@scope.org.uk by 10 March 2025. Please email Frankie if you would like to talk to someone about this opportunity.

Thank you very much for your interest in our project. We hope to hear from you soon!