Group roles are important in coproduction because they help everyone know what they’re doing, share the work fairly, and make sure every voice is heard. Volunteers often bring a lifetime of local knowledge — they know who to talk to, what might work, and what’s already been tried. The community remembers lessons learned. Volunteers are also great at “joining the dots” behind the scenes by linking people together, finding venues, and coming up with practical workarounds. This kind of community wisdom is incredibly valuable, even though it’s often overlooked in more formal systems.
It helps if everyone in the group understands their role, the unique skills they bring, and why they are part of the work. This gives the group a clear sense of direction and helps people see how they can contribute. Clear roles start with understanding what each person is good at. When roles aren’t clear, things can slow down, people can lose confidence, and tasks might end up with the wrong person. Clear roles also keep things fair — no one ends up doing everything or leading the whole group by accident.
It is recommended that time is given for group members to share their skills and connections which may be through a simple sign-up form or a few guiding questions. This not only empowers them but also helps the whole group run more smoothly. That way, tasks can be matched to the right people, to have a balanced perspective by pairing community members and professionals together where it makes sense. Clarifying roles upfront can help the whole process flow better.
Here you will find a template which can be adapted to fit the different roles required for your group: LINK TO ROLE TEMPLATE You can find more information about the role of a community engagement officer as part of a community-led recruitment group here: LINK TO Engagement officer report.
