Research Hero of the Month – December 2024

Meaningful public involvement in research is essential. This month we celebrate the important work of the Trust’s HEER (Help from Experts by Experience for Researchers) group which is a service user and carer involvement group that has been providing advice to researchers for almost two decades.

Trust staff and academic researchers who attend the group get a lot of out of talking with, and listening to, people who aren’t afraid to ask tricky questions. The members often make the complex world of research more user-friendly and accessible.

Previously called ‘Leeds Researchers’ the group was formed in 2006 and has since given advice to a huge number of people involved in mental health research. Researchers value members’ perspectives and input; this includes a range of things from reviewing the information given to research participants or thinking about the best way to find the right people to take part. One researcher visiting the group commented:

“The group was clearly comfortable with the discussion and able to talk openly with support – they were very generous with their time and gave some new ideas and ways of looking at the research from a different perspective”

The HEER group have been an invaluable asset to us as a department when steering and guiding the department, but also many early career researchers to ensure their research is patient centered. We hugely appreciate the time and effort that group members give to help make sure that research is relevant and acceptable to service users, carers and staff.

For more information about HEER, please see more on the website or contact us any time on research.lypft@nhs.net

Page last updated: 20th Nov 2024 9:37am