In our final blog post of 2025 the Institute's Public Involvement Lead, Kate Horton, reflects on the value of meaningful Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in shaping research. Find out how our Public Advisory Group can support researchers.
The Institute of Mental Health Public Advisory Group was formed in 2019, before I joined the IMH. Whilst it has been through some changes and experiences, which is to be expected over nearly 6 years of working together, the group is still a thriving space for dialogue and challenge. Despite these changes – members, schedules, regularity of contact - one of the things that has remained is that it is a space where advice, curiosity, suggestions, and support is freely available for research and your ideas.
When it comes to Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research, many of the conversations I am hearing right now is, where to begin with finding the people you want to hear from. In fact, on a recent webinar for the Midlands Mental Health and Neurosciences PhD Programme, the first question from attendees was exactly that; “How do I find people to start my conversations with?”
Yes, in research circles we talk of finding the right people, exactly with this experience, or that background, a particular age group and even a very niche diagnosis. I agree. It is vital to talk to people with relevant experiences. There is no point in asking me what I feel about the audiology services of Ropewalk House for example as I have never been there. My best guess would be a friend who once went there for an appointment 5 years ago who remarked that the parking was dire and the clock on the wall was 20 minutes slow. Therefore, my opinions on the subject would be a) not mine, b) not recent and c) not at all relevant to your question.
However, if you were to ask me:
- Whether I found instructions to locate the parking at that building helpful? or
- What I think a waiting room should contain?
I could, as a regular user of NHS services give you some advice.
(Hint: if there is a clock, make it make sense!)
However, we are seeing more and more researchers getting caught up seeking the perfect person and the perfect set of experiences and this is causing them to not get started at all!
So, if you find yourself in the place where you need to start somewhere and you want to talk to someone about your research ideas or practical plans, we could help. Maybe your supervisor or team are already too exposed to the project to help point out what’s missing and all your ‘lay’ peers (see partner, mum and children) have provided you with an eye roll and gone back to their own worlds, then why don’t you come and begin with us here?
One of the positives of working with the IMH Public Advisory Group for these initial conversations is, as members they have a wealth of experiences in other spaces. Their own experiences, knowledge, and exposure to other PPI activities offers a fantastic stepping stone between our own teams and your potential, future community connections.
And if I haven’t convinced you enough yet, there is currently no cost attached to attending the Public Advisory Group meetings for you directly as a researcher. The Involvement at the Institute budget covers the cost of the group meeting, including group member payments, as funding this group is a principle of the Institute’s good practice in PPI.
If in 2026 you’re thinking about who you will talk to about your work and you’re ready for a PPI New Year’s Resolution, then book in with us now to hold a time slot in our diaries. We’d love to see you, meet you and hear all about your work!
Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Public Advisory Group - slots available – Fill in form