When the public gets involved in research, they work alongside researchers to help shape:

  • What research gets done
  • How it’s carried out
  • How the results are shared and applied in practice.

It's not about taking part in a trial or study to test a new treatment or care option.

It’s about being a member of the research team that works together to design and run the study.

The experience you have of your own care, or the care of others, is of great value to researchers.

Researchers may have textbook knowledge, but unless they have also experienced it, there will be gaps in their understanding.

Don’t worry, you won’t be expected to have technical knowledge of how research works or have a background in healthcare.

We will support you to learn anything you may feel you need to know.

  • Your contributions can help shape the planning and delivery of a research project
  • You can help us ask the right questions in the right way
  • You can help make sure we write things in a way that can be easily understood by study participants
  • You can help us make sure everybody knows about the results
  • In addition, the involvement of patients, carers and members of the public is necessary for a research project to be funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)

If you decide to take part in research at the Trust, we will, of course, cover any out-of-pocket expenses you might incur.

In addition to paying expenses, we also want to be able to thank for your time and effort.

This could take the form of a monetary payment or vouchers.

We will discuss this further with you if you decide you would like to help.

Please email us, marking your email ‘For the Attention of the Sponsored Research Manager’ in the subject line.