Research Forum

Programme

Tulips: Talk, understand, listen for in-patient settings

Abstract:
We developed the TULIPS (Talk, Understand and Listen in InPatient Settings) intervention with ward staff and service users to provide therapy to inpatients via a stepped model. This presentation describes the intervention and a programme of work evaluating the approach using a multi-centre cluster randomised controlled trial. There was a 20% reduction in serious incidents on TULIPS wards compared to control wards, but this finding did not reach statistical significance. Staff on the TULIPS ward reported statistically significant improvements in burnout compared to staff on the control wards. The qualitative data suggest that therapy facilitated greater self-understanding for patients and improved staff-patient relationships by helping staff to better understand patients’ needs. However, limited staff confidence inhibited the delivery of interventions within the stepped care model, as did perceptions that intervention delivery was outside the remit of nursing staff’s role. This study provides evidence that a stepped psychological intervention on acute mental health wards could reduce staff burnout and improve patient’s self-understanding and staff understanding of patients’ needs. Findings are important as there is a growing recognition of the value of therapy for inpatients from service user and carer groups and mental health service commissioners, but a lack of evidence about how to actually deliver it in practice.

Speaker biography:
Katherine is a Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester. She is Mental Health Theme Co-Lead for the Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and Co-Lead for the Adult Mental Health Research Theme. She is also Co-director of the Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit (C-TRU) at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Katherine has carried out extensive research into the psychological and social causes of severe mental health problems. She has used these findings to develop and evaluate more accessible psychological therapies for people experiencing mental health problems. She has carried out numerous trials of psychological therapies for people with severe mental health problems in both community and inpatient settings, including a National Institute of Health and Social Care programme grant called Talk, Understand and Listen in InPatient Settings (TULIPS).

Uplift: understanding research priorities of perinatal mental health care for refugee and asylum-seeking women

Abstract:
UPLIFT worked with women in the UK who are asylum seekers or refugees (ASRs) and who experienced mental health difficulties during pregnancy or within the first year after birth. Its aim was to understand, from women themselves, which mental health issues matter most, to help guide future research and improve care.

The project had three parts. First, it used social media (TikTok and Instagram) and community outreach to connect with women and raise awareness about perinatal mental health. Content was culturally sensitive and included guidance on getting help if women felt distressed. Some of our videos were created in different languages and social media translation features helped extend reach beyond English speakers. This approach helped reach a diverse audience.

Second, the project developed a website; https://www.maandmeuplift.co.uk, offering accessible information, personal stories, and advice on how to find support. It also encouraged women to take part in future research as “experts by experience,” helping to build a sense of community and provide trusted resources.

Third, workshops were held with 26 women from a range of cultural and language backgrounds who had experience of seeking asylum or refuge. These sessions were designed to be inclusive, with childcare, transport, and interpreters provided. Through group discussions, participants identified nine key mental health topics for future research. These priorities included: feeling safe and respected by services; knowing how to access help; support during pregnancy and after birth; safe and stable housing; help with sleep; opportunities to join supportive groups; access to creative and movement-based activities; culturally sensitive parenting advice; and clear, trustworthy online information.

Overall, the project highlights that mental health is shaped not only by medical needs, but also by wider social factors including housing, isolation, and trust in services. Addressing these issues is essential to improve care and outcomes for ASR mothers.

Speaker biography:
Dr George Crowther is a Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry, Joint Clinical Lead for Research and Development at Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust, Regional Speciality Lead, Dementia and Neurodegeneration, Yorkshire and Humber Research Delivery Network, a Visiting Associate Professor in the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds and the Champion of Supported Return to Training – Academic/ Research, NHSE Workforce Education & Training, Yorkshire and Humber.

George’s clinical and research interests lie in the management of complex dementia symptoms and improving physical healthcare in dementia. His currently Chief Investigator on Easy ECG – a multicentre study validating 6 lead ECGs to measure QTc in people taking antipsychotics, and UPLIFT – which is describe below. George is Prinicpal Investigator in Leeds for two randomised control trials in dementia – TOPHAT and MINDSET 2. He is the co-editor of the Handbook of Old Age Liaison Psychiatry, The Handbook of Dementia Inpatient care and he has published widely in this speciality.

Lavender Heung is currently a Research Assistant in the COMIC Research Team at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. With a background in journalism, she is particularly interested in inclusive and community-based research.

Previously, Lavender worked on the UPLIFT (Me & Ma) research project, which explored inequalities in perinatal mental health among refugee and asylum-seeking mothers. Her role involved working with community organisations, supporting research engagement, and facilitating focus groups with mothers and interpreters to better understand their experiences and barriers to taking part in research.

She is now working on research with children and young people with ADHD, supporting research delivery, working directly with children and families, and carrying out qualitative interviews. Lavender is particularly interested in making research more accessible and ensuring that children, families, and underrepresented communities have opportunities to shape research and share their experiences.

PACS: a pilot study to explore the acceptability of the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS) for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract:
We use many assessment tools in mental health services without knowing how acceptable they are for autistic people. The Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS) is widely used to screen for experiences that may be early signs of psychosis, but it has not previously been evaluated for use specifically with autistic adults.

In this pilot study, 17 recently diagnosed autistic adults completed a CAARMS assessment and were then interviewed about their experience of the assessment and how acceptable they found it. We found that the assessment was broadly acceptable for some participants. However, unclear questions, the effort involved in completing the assessment, and overlap between autistic and psychotic experiences could create difficulties. Participants suggested practical adaptations that could improve acceptability, including clearer language, flexible pacing, sensory adjustments and autism-informed training for clinicians.

Alongside our findings, we will share the story behind the research: how a study idea was brought to life, the lessons learned in taking it from ethical approval to analysis and dissemination, and the value of bringing together clinical, academic and lived experience perspectives. We will reflect on the different roles people can play in making research happen

Speaker biographies:
Dr Dan Romeu is a NIHR Doctoral Fellow at the University of Leeds and a Higher Trainee in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. His PhD explores how emergency care can be improved for young people after they self-harm. His other research interests include suicide prevention, neurodivergence, paediatric liaison psychiatry and health services research. Dan spent a year working with LADS, where he helped to take the PACS study from an existing idea through study set-up, analysis and dissemination. PACS was an important part of his research journey and shaped his interest in developing mental health research that is relevant, inclusive and informed by lived experience.

Dr James McGrath an interdisciplinary scholar of autism, as well as an expert by experience. James is the author of Naming Adult Autism (2017), as well as a series of poems, life writings and articles on autism. He is a Senior Lecturer in Literature and Creative Writing at Leeds Beckett University.

Dr Conor Davidson is a consultant psychiatrist in general adult psychiatry, and clinical lead of the Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service (LADS). He was Autism Champion for the Royal College of Psychiatrists 2021-2025. The focus of this work was on improving autism awareness and autism training for psychiatrists, including the National Autism Training Program for Psychiatrists, which reached over 1500 participants. Conor has published a number of journal articles, blogs and book chapters with a particular focus on autism and mental health. Unfortunately for him, Conor is a lifelong Leeds United supporter.

Service User Group HEER: 20th Anniversary group story

Abstract:
This presentation celebrates 20 years of the Help from Experts by Experience for Researchers (HEER) group, a service user and carer involvement group established in 2006 at LYPFT. Over two decades, HEER has played a significant role in shaping mental health research through meaningful patient and public involvement, ensuring that the voices of people with lived experience inform research design, delivery and dissemination.

The presentation highlights key achievements, including the award-winning Bridge to Recovery study, contributions to around 100 regional and national research projects, and ongoing collaboration with researchers, clinicians and academics. It showcases how HEER members have influenced participant information materials, supported study development, advised on research priorities and contributed their lived experience to improve research quality and relevance.

Drawing on reflections from HEER members, researchers and research staff, the presentation demonstrates the mutual benefits of co-production, including empowerment, increased confidence, improved accessibility of research materials and stronger study outcomes. It also reflects on the group’s adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued commitment to advancing inclusive mental health research. HEER’s 20-year journey illustrates the lasting value of meaningful service user involvement in creating research that is relevant, accessible and impactful for people who use mental health services.

Speaker biographies:
Sarah Cooper is Head of Research and Development at LYPFT a post she has held since 2021. This involves leading the Research department and core research team of approximately 25 staff. The department has oversight of all research happening within the Trust. They have an ambitious three-year strategy that includes an aim to embed research as core business within the organisation.

Before working for the Trust Sarah worked for the NIHR Clinical Research Network latterly as a Business Development Manager (Commercial). She facilitated key discussions between industry and Clinical Research Network and was a point of contact for life sciences companies engaging with the Clinical Research Network. Her first role with the network was to support the national clinical leads across a range of therapeutic areas.

Prior to working with the network Sarah worked as a Clinical Researcher for over 10 years delivering a range of studies in both community and hospital settings. She has several peer reviewed published articles. She has a degree in Medical Biochemistry, master’s in Human Nutrition and PhD in Clinical Nutrition.

Sarah is joined by several members of the HEER (PPI) group.

COMIC team updates

EDIP: The Aetiological factors leading to young people with eating disorders being referred for Inpatient Admission

Abstract:
Background: Since the COVID19 pandemic, the number of young people diagnosed with an eating disorder has rapidly increased and have the highest mortality risks compared to other psychiatric disorders. To improve treatment success and rates of remission it is vital to understand patient journeys and their experience with their eating disorder.

Aims: This study co-designed and conducted semi-structured interviews with YP with EDs and their parents/carers with focus groups of professionals working into CAMHS ED services to explore the key factors driving referrals to inpatient services to help inform future research and impact on admission rates.

Results: In total, 3 focus groups attended by inpatient and outpatient clinicians were conducted and 13 interviews were conducted (n = 7 parents, n = 6 young people)..

Conclusion: Findings show reasons for referral to an inpatient unit are multifaceted and that we must collaborate with those with lived experience to create system wide change to improve treatment journeys.

Speaker biography:
Dr Clare Fenton is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and the Clinical Lead for Research at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT). She is passionate about co-production and bringing the young person’s voice to the centre of clinical practice and research. Clare’s recent work has focused on creating a self-help toolkit intervention for young people struggling with self-harm and identifying and understanding Restricted Intake Self-Harm (RISH)

Research Ready Schools Programme

Abstract:
The Research Ready Schools (RRS) programme was developed by the COMIC research team to embed research literacy and mental health awareness within education. The RRS programme delivers a six-week, curriculum-aligned series of interactive sessions. These sessions teach children and young people (CYP) about research principles, mental health and wellbeing, and opportunities for co-production and patient and public involvement (PPI). Activities include hands-on projects and creative learning tools tailored to different Key Stages. Early implementation demonstrated strong engagement, with CYP creating their own research projects and reporting increased understanding of mental health. The programme’s strengths include empowering youth voice and fostering transferable skills – RRS represents an innovative model for participatory research education in schools. We are now engaging with Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDN’s) across the country to train more research professionals to deliver the programme in their regions.

Speaker biography:
Jamie Telford is the patient and public engagement ambassador for the Child Oriented Mental Health Innovation Collaborative (COMIC) that sits in the LYPFT R&D department. I work to provide Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) for the research team, as well as conducting the Young Person’s Advisory Network (YPAN). Through the network, I invite Children and Young People (CYP) to meaningfully inform research topics by allowing them space to use their lived experiences. My research interests include participatory methods, ethics of child and adolescent research, language development, and attachment. I am a strong advocate for CYP to use their voice to enact change primarily through co-production methodologies.

Overview

This panel will showcase the research journeys of four patient-facing members of staff, including why they became interested in research and what involvement they have had. Each are from different backgrounds and have taken part in various ways. This highlights the varying routes and involvement open to our members of staff and the importance of their contribution to enable research in LYPFT to run efficiently and impact on the future of mental healthcare.

Panel member biographies

Amie Whitworth, Occupational Therapist, LYPFT

I am an Occupational Therapist in LYPFT. I currently work with the Assertive Outreach Team, working with individuals living with psychosis. Supporting individuals in engaging in occupations that are meaningful and important to them. This has been my first time being a part of a research study before, however being a part of a study that looking at sexual health promotion interventions for people living with SMI’s. With the aim to help develop new wats to support people who use mental health services to consider their sexual health and access support if they need it. This is an area I am interested and passionate about. Being a part of this research study has improved my confidence and influenced my clinical practice positively.

Laura Joseph, Senior Mental Health Nurse, LYPFT

I am a Senior Mental Health Nurse working in older people’s inpatient services at LYPFT with a growing passion for research, education and improving clinical practice. Alongside my clinical role, I support students and staff development and work as a Research Champion, helping to make research more visible, relevant and accessible within everyday nursing practice.

My interest in research has developed through an NIHR internship and postgraduate study in Mental Health Research at the University of York, giving me opportunities to explore questions that matter directly to nurses, staff and the people we care for. I am particularly interested in research that strengthens workforce experience, education and mental health services.

I am passionate about encouraging nurses to see research as something they can contribute to, regardless of their role or previous experience and about bridging the gap between research and frontline practice.

Hilary Lewis, Occupational therapist and psychotherapist, LYPFT

Hilary Lewis is an occupational therapist and psychotherapist with a special interest in persistent physical symptoms (PPS) and multiple long-term conditions. She is particularly interested in rehabilitation for those people with moderate-severe difficulties who have not been helped by health care services. Hilary began her research journey later on in her career, after first working as a clinician for 15 years in LYPFT. She is close to finishing a National Institute for Health and Care Research Doctoral Fellowship, which aims to improve services for people with PPS, through developing a new treatment approach focussing upon improving activity and participation.

George Crowther

Dr George Crowther is a Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry, Joint Clinical Lead for Research and Development at Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust, Regional Speciality Lead, Dementia and Neurodegeneration, Yorkshire and Humber Research Delivery Network, a Visiting Associate Professor in the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds and the Champion of Supported Return to Training – Academic/ Research, NHSE Workforce Education & Training, Yorkshire and Humber.

George’s clinical and research interests lie in the management of complex dementia symptoms and improving physical healthcare in dementia. His currently Chief Investigator on Easy ECG – a multicentre study validating 6 lead ECGs to measure QTc in people taking antipsychotics, and UPLIFT – which is describe below. George is Prinicpal Investigator in Leeds for two randomised control trials in dementia – TOPHAT and MINDSET 2. He is the co-editor of the Handbook of Old Age Liaison Psychiatry, The Handbook of Dementia Inpatient care and he has published widely in this speciality.

The secret to interesting PPIE: using active methods to include patients and public contributors in research

Abstract:

Working with communities to inform research has become the gold standard in research in recent years, often leading to richer research outputs and improved community support. However, too many times researchers approach Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) with little to no prior knowledge and act with tokenistic behaviours (e.g. unreciprocated action, unfair payment, one off engagement). Engaging in correct PPIE should not be hard and should benefit both researcher and patient/ public contributors – this workshop aims to equip you with the tools to begin including members of the community in your research via active (and often fun) methods that foster an environment of inclusivity and honesty. During this session you will learn what makes interesting PPIE, how to engage with wider communities, and how to adapt your sessions to the atmosphere of the group. Expect snowball fights, silly voices and lots of movement as you step into a world of inclusive PPIE.

Workshop host:

I am Jamie Telford I am the patient and public engagement ambassador for the Child Oriented Mental Health Innovation Collaborative (COMIC) that sits in the LYPFT R&D department. I work to provide Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) for the research team, as well as conducting the Young Person’s Advisory Network (YPAN). Through the network, I invite Children and Young People (CYP) to meaningfully inform research topics by allowing them space to use their lived experiences. My research interests include participatory methods, ethics of child and adolescent research, language development, and attachment. I am a strong advocate for CYP to use their voice to enact change primarily through co-production methodologies.

Clinical Data That Makes Sense: A Practical Workshop on Statistics and Visualisation

Abstract:

Clinicians are increasingly expected to use and interpret data in reports, audits, and service evaluations, yet small changes in how data are summarised or presented can significantly alter interpretation. This practical workshop will help participants make sense of clinical data, choose appropriate simple statistical summaries, and avoid common pitfalls in interpretation. It will also cover how to present data clearly and effectively so that findings are easy to understand and use. The session is hands-on, accessible, and focused on real clinical examples rather than complex statistical theory.

Workshop host:

I am Sophie Schumann, I am a Research Fellow at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, where I help develop new research ideas and secure funding to turn them into viable projects. With a background in nutritional sciences and molecular biology, I spent much of my career in academic research before moving into mental health research and grant development.

Along the way, I have gained experience in data analysis, project management, and communicating research findings. I enjoy helping others feel more confident using evidence and data in their own work, and I’m particularly interested in making research accessible, relevant, and useful in practice.

Outside work, I enjoy gardening and spending time outdoors with my family. Fun fact: I once played American football in Germany’s National Women’s League.

Making a Difference: How to influence the future of Mental Healthcare whilst in your current role

Abstract:

Research is everyone’s business. Increasingly, staff across all professional groups within the Trust are expected to contribute to the development and delivery of research, with research now forming part of many roles and job expectations. However, many people remain uncertain about what meaningful research involvement looks like. This interactive workshop will explore the differences between service evaluation, clinical audit, and research, highlighting how each contributes to improving practice and shaping the future of LYPFT. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of these approaches and discover practical ways to become involved in evidence generation and quality improvement in aim to influence the future of mental healthcare.

Workshop host:

I am Wendy Andrusjak I am a Research Programme Manager focussed on embedding research into clinical practice.  My main aim is to improve research culture across LYPFT, designing and providing training and opportunities  for all our staff to get involved in developing and contributing to research.  Engaging staff from all backgrounds, professions and levels of experience is what is required to influence research in practice and is at the heart of what I design and deliver.

Research is everyone’s business, a mantra I stand by and what guides me to building the capacity and capability of research in LYPFT.