How you can get involved in Research

There are many ways that members of the public, patients, service users and carers can get involved in research, from being a participant to helping to design research studies.

If you would like to receive updates from the Research and Development Team about new research or ways to get involved, please sign up here.

 

Take Part in Research Studies

To see which studies are currently looking for participants please visit our Take Part in Mental Health Research webpage. You can also receive updates about new studies by signing up here.

Taking part in research can be rewarding and beneficial process. Participants have told us that it has given them:

  • A better understanding of their mental health
  • An opportunity to try new treatments that wouldn’t have otherwise been available to them
  • An opportunity to meet new people, especially those with similar experiences to them
  • A feeling that they are contributing to something positive

Taking part in research helps us to improve our understanding of mental health and develop new, more effective treatments — which can benefit many people now and, in the future.

 

Lived Experience in Research

The voices of people with lived experience of mental health conditions provide unique and valuable expertise and insights on research. This is often called Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE).

Service users and people with lived experience can get involved in research at the Trust by:

  • Contributing to the design of research studies (e.g. joining a Patient and Public Involvement group for a study). Sign up to be informed of opportunities to be involved here.
  • Joining the Service User Research Advisory Group (SURAG): SURAG is a group of people with experience of using mental health services that advise the work of our Research and Development Team at the Trust from a lived experience perspective. If you would like to find out more, email Saskia Perks, Lived Experience Research Ambassador, SLaM: Saskia.perks@slam.nhs.uk

 

Learn about research findings at the Research Club 

Last Thursday of every month at 2-3pm, Online

The Research Club, hosted in collaboration with the Recovery College is an open, informal webinar where service users, carers and staff can find out about mental health research. These sessions are designed to make research findings more accessible to service users, members of the public, and healthcare professionals.

In each session a researcher discusses their study – what they did, what they found out and what the impact will be. At the end of the presentation there is the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive, non‑academic space.

The sessions are also recorded, so if you can’t attend at this time, you can always watch the recording later.

Enrol via the Recovery College website: https://www.slamrecoverycollege.co.uk/enrol.html

If you are a researcher and you would like to share the findings of your research, please email: Saskia.perks@slam.nhs.uk

 

Become a Community Research Champion

Community Research Champions are volunteers who help promote research at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

They raise awareness of research. If they have experience of taking part in research, they might also share their experience to inspire others.

Our goal is to bring research into everyday community settings (e.g. libraries, community centres, faith centres), making it easier for everyone to get involved.

  • Champions can be:
  • People with lived experience of using mental health services
  • Carers
  • Members of the public with an interest in mental health research

You do not need to have any experience of taking part in research to be a Community Research Champion. Community Research Champions are volunteers, so this is an unpaid role.

What do Community Research Champions do?

This is a flexible and varied role, which you will be able to shape based on your own interests and availability. You can choose the types of activities you’d like to be involved in.

Examples of activities include:

  • Talking to service users and the public about research
  • Supporting the Research Delivery Team at events and information stands
  • Visiting SLaM services to raise awareness
  • Giving talks or presentations
  • Writing blogs, newsletters, or social media posts about your research experiences

We also welcome your ideas for promoting research in your community, such as:

  • Hosting an information stand at a local library or community centre
  • Organising a short talk at a faith centre, school, or local club
  • Starting a conversation about research at local events or coffee mornings

What support will I receive?

You will receive an induction before you begin and support throughout your role. We also offer ongoing learning and development opportunities to help you grow in the role.

You will receive regular updates and opportunities to stay involved.

You will be supported by a named staff contact who you can contact for advice and guidance surrounding your role.

How much time do I need to commit?

There’s no minimum time commitment. You can be involved as much or as little as you like, and choose which activities suit your interests and availability.

How do I find out more and sign up?

If you are interested in becoming a Community Research Champion, please email Saskia.perks@slam.nhs.uk

Lived Experience Research Ambassador

Saskia Evans Perks 

Saskia supports work across South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to increase involvement in mental health research. Her work focuses on raising awareness of research opportunities, learning from the experiences of people who use SLaM services, and reducing barriers to participation.

She works with service users, clinicians, researchers and Research Champions to help ensure that research is inclusive, accessible and informed by lived experience.

saskia.perks@slam.nhs.uk

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