Patient and Public Involvement
Public involvement is key to producing research relevant to the needs and concerns of those living across Wales. As such, members of the public will be involved in all aspects of the work of the Centre, for example, helping to shape the research agenda by working with the Research Development Groups, advising on research study design and helping to raise public awareness.
Sarah Peddle
About Sarah
Sarah Peddle
I joined the public involvement community in May 2017. I have always had an interest in this area, and have sought opportunities to become more involved. I have a background in mathematics/ statistics and have worked as a project manager for a social research company. A large part of my career has been spent in local government, working at a senior management level for over nine years. Involvement in a range of involvement activities affords me the opportunity to make my contribution to health and care research, and I have undergone training to ensure my effective involvement.
I have amassed a great deal of skills, knowledge and experience throughout my career, and I am really enjoying my involvement roles, as it allows me to apply my skills whilst contributing to an area of interest to me, with the ultimate aim of benefitting wider society. I have two young children, which coupled with a chronic health condition, has prompted me to take some time out from full time working, but provided me with the capacity and opportunity to undertake these roles.
I am keen to put the experience I have gained to good use – having been responsible for managing data, information, planning and performance management, among other things, which I have found relevant and valuable in the wider public involvement roles. I am delighted to be a lay member with the Centre for Population Health, as part of the Early Years Advisory Group and the Public Involvement Steering Committee.
Dr Helen Davies
About Helen
Dr Helen Davies
I am very honoured and enthusiastic to be part of the National Centre for Population Health, and Wellbeing Research, Patients and Public Involvement (PPI) advisory team. My professional background is in nursing (Honorary lecturer) with over 20 years of research experience working within a variety of research settings including; healthcare, and educational settings. Research interests include; mindfulness, chronic disease management – diabetes, and rheumatic conditions. Patient and public involvement (PPI) has been an integral part of my research. As a PPI advisor I hope to contribute to the voice and opinions of patients and public, to help inform and shape research conducted by the Centre.
Dr Rachael Hunter
About Rachael
Dr Rachael Hunter
Rachael is a mum of two, a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Swansea University. Rachael was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2012. She has previously worked in mental health services in the NHS and now teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as being involved in research exploring how people respond to illness. She works closely with the third sector, including ‘Thrombosis UK’ and ‘Overcoming MS’; an international charity who educate, support and empower people with MS in evidence-based lifestyle and medication choices to improve health outcomes.
Barbara Harrington
About Barbara
My first experience of providing a public perspective in research was nine years ago as a member of the advisory committee for research into the provision of inclusive and anti-discriminatory services in residential care services in Wales undertaken by the Swansea University. Since then I have been actively involved in the design, delivery and dissemination of a wide range of health and social care research projects as well as serving on panels to review research applications for funding. Until last year, I chaired the HCRW Public Involvement Delivery Board made up of members of the public and representatives of the third sector and Welsh Government. It was our role to work to ensure that patients and public are involved in the prioritisation and running of research projects, that outcomes are focussed on making a positive impact on the health, wellbeing and prosperity of the people of Wales and that the knowledge gained is made accessible to both professionals and the general public.
This involvement followed a career in social housing encompassing front-line delivery, policy development and senior management roles. Throughout my working life, I was passionate to ensure that tenants, service users and community members were involved in developing the services and homes provided for them and were able to influence decisions that affected their lives.
I was keen to continue to use the skills and experience I had developed in a way that made a positive contribution to our wider society and that reflected my passion for people to have a meaningful say in matters that affect their quality of life. Contributing as a member of the public to health and social care research provides me with this opportunity.
Wales is my adopted country. I moved here 11 years ago with my Welsh partner and live in Swansea. Following retirement, I started running ballroom and Latin dance classes in my local community and I look forward to resuming one of the other joys of my life which is to travel and discover new places and cultures.
PPI Case Study
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The Born in Wales PPI group has been giving the Centre advice and guidance on how best to engage with BAME families. The Born in Wales project is an ongoing exploration of experiences and outcomes for people having babies in Wales. More information can be found here.
Hope Jones, Researcher at the Centre for Population Health, speaks to members of the Born in Wales PPI Group on how best to reach out and engage with our communities.
This video was presented at the Health and Care Research Wales Public Engagement and Involvement Forum on the theme of Diversity and Inclusion (13th May 2021). It shows a short conversation between the Born in Wales lead researcher, Hope Jones, and two of the members of our Born in Wales Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) public and patient involvement (PPI) group.
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“Born in Wales aims to engage with families all around Wales. Working with our PPI group is invaluable to encourage this engagement with our local communities. Collaborating with our PPI group helps us to encourage diversity and inclusivity in everything we do and allows us to represent all types of families growing up in Wales.” Hope Jones, Lead Researcher Born in Wales.
Get in Touch
If you would like to find out more, or to sign up to our newsletter, please contact Soo Vinnicombe, PPI Lead on s.vinnicombe@bangor.ac.uk
This page is aimed at patients and members of the public. If you are a researcher or organisation with a query please visit our Work with Us page for more details. Events and workshops aimed at facilitating research and developing new collaborations are held throughout the year. Visit our Events page for updates on our up and coming workshops.
Events & Workshops
Events and workshops aimed at engaging the public, NHS, Social Care, third sector, schools and local/national government are held throughout the year. Visit our Events page for updates on our up and coming workshops.
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