Ruth is joined by Caroline Latta, communications and engagement specialist and founder of OLOVUS, for a powerful conversation about what real co-design looks like when it moves beyond surveys, hypotheticals and “tell us what service you want.”

This episode tells the story of a short break service for people with learning disabilities—re-imagined from the ground up.

Instead of asking families to imagine a different service, Caroline and her team showed them what was possible.

They took families and people with learning disabilities on visits to alternative short break providers: outdoor activity centres, community-based supports, spaces full of independence and joy rather than hospital-style care.

The visits revealed moments of trust, connection and delight that completely reshaped the service design—and shifted the focus from “safe respite” to aspirational, joyful breaks that feel like holidays.

We also explore Caroline’s deeply personal experience with weight loss medication, what it taught her about shame and biology, and how it strengthened her commitment to non-judgemental, inclusive design.

A rich, emotional and practical episode - full of behaviour change thinking for anyone working across health, care or commissioning.

💬 Caroline's Quotes

On co-design done properly

“You don’t realise how limited your imagination is until someone shows you what’s possible.”

On why surveys fall short

“You can fill in as many questionnaires as you like, but you don’t see the smile on someone’s face in a survey.”

On shifting the frame

“We weren’t trying to fix a ‘respite problem.’ We were asking, ‘What does a joyful break look like?’”

📚 Book Recommendation

Invisible Women – Caroline Criado Perez

A sharp, essential read that reveals how system design often defaults to men—and how invisible data gaps create very visible barriers.
Perfect for anyone designing public health, social care or behaviour change programmes.

🔍 What You’ll Learn

How to run co-design that produces real insight
Why showing beats asking people to imagine
The shift from “respite” to aspirational breaks
How field visits surface truths workshops never will
How robust involvement frees commissioners to lead boldly
Desired vs problem behaviours in behaviour change
Why paying people matters—practically and ethically
How privilege, hormones and biology shape health behaviour

🎧 Links

Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn

Check out Olovus

Training update

🔗 Behaviour Change Marketing Bootcamp – 10 December
Misinformation, AI and behavioural science for health communicators.

GVP #240 - Sandi Adams - Net Zero & Agenda 2030