Research and Development Annual Report 2025-26
Introduction
Welcome to the LYPFT Research and Development 2025/2026 Annual Report.
The Research and Development Team are dedicated to generating high quality, innovative research into mental health, learning disabilities and neurodiversity and what we do changes lives across the UK.
Using our specialist expertise, unique population and a collaborative approach, we bridge boundaries, provide hope, and we’re actively shaping the future of mental health care.
Our main objective is to develop and deliver high quality research for the communities we serve. Success’ is more high-quality research delivered across a broad range of service areas. Our objective will be delivered by:
Our Annual Report provides the highlights of our success in these areas.
Get to Know us
Our research department is made up of Clinical Leads, Head of Research, Research Assistants, Trial Coordinators, Research Fellows, Clinical Studies Officers, Research Managers and Public Engagement Ambassadors.
We are a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving mental health through high-quality research. Our work brings together clinicians, academics, and people with lived experience.
Photos of Clinical Leads: George Crowther, Sarah Cooper (Head of Research), Susan Guthrie and Clare Fenton.
If you want to get to know us better, you can:
Email us at research.lypft@nhs.net / Call us on 0113 85 52387
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/research-and-development-at-lypft/
Study Activity and Performance
‘It was easy to communicate with the research team and everything with regards to the study was done in a positive and respectful way’
Research participant
My Research Experience
‘Everyone involved has made me feel at ease and valued’
Research participant
Every participant of eligible studies is given the opportunity to provide feedback via the ‘My Research Experience’ survey. It helps us learn what we are doing well and where we can improve. Children and adult participants can complete the survey and they can be completed digitally or on paper.
YPAN (Young Person’s Advisory Network)
In December 2025, Yorkshire and Humber RRDN featured the Research Ready Schools Programme in their monthly newsletter, Fiona Halstead, Strategic Development Director with the NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN), said of the programme ‘We’re delighted to support the Trust to deliver this important work in helping children and young people understand mental health and the power of research in this area’.
Read more about the COMIC conference here: https://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/research/latest/news/comic-conference2025-sharing-youth-mental-health-research/
HEER (Help from Experts by Experience for Researchers)
In 2026 the HEER group celebrates its 20th Anniversary, we are very proud to have being able to work with such an inspiring group of people, who are an integral part of how we conduct research in the Trust.
Quotes from HEER group members:
‘The HEER group is something where you feel that you would like to support it because you want development in medicine and healthcare to try and assist other people in the same kind of situations.’
‘I felt like I could contribute meaningfully.’
‘It is about having lots of different perspectives, inputs and experiences. No two people are the same, you can bring that element that nobody else can bring to a project, a decision or to a conversation.’
Find out more about the HEER group here: https://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/research/for-serviceusers-and-carers/get-involved-the-heer-group/
Staff Involvement in Research
Special Interest Groups
Our Communities of Practice for Research meet regularly to discuss how to engage in research, support each other and to encourage evidence-based practice. The benefits help our service users, our colleagues and the wider NHS.
In December 2025 the Allied Health Professionals and Psychological professions Communities of Practice for Research held a face-to-face meeting to explore evidence supporting best practice and discuss first steps into research.
The AHPs went on to produce a Yearbook showcasing some of the projects and research completed by AHPs in 2025.
For more information about the Community of Practice for Research for your professional groups see contacts below…
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