Research Hero of the Month – February 2025

Student Nurses Research Hybrid Placement Programme (MESH). The MESH programme enables student nurses to learn about research in clinical practice whilst on clinical placement. It was an idea born out of LYPFT and would not have succeeded without the support of the students and staff who have taken part since its conception in 2022.

Whilst there are too many to mention by name, there are some staff who were key to its implementation and development.

Firstly, to Hannah Shephard and Alex Trapp. We met Hannah whilst she was still a student. Alex was the Clinical Team Manager for her next placement with NICPM. Hannah tried and tested the various sessions we felt useful, feeding back her experience of each. Alex meanwhile supported Hannah to take time out of her placement to contribute to this. Without this input, the programme would not have been designed as efficiently as it was. Hannah was also shortlisted for a national student nursing award in research, and consequently was our leverage to gaining funding for the pilot of the programme (evaluation available upon request). She also now works at LYPFT and contributes to multiple research projects.

Six cohorts of students have since taken up the opportunity. Jess Flood and Charlotte Lockwood are just two of these students. As they are also trust employees it is worth noting their exceptional dedication to research since they finished the programme. Both Jess and Charlotte are now Research Champions for their respective services; Jess also supports other students to learn about research whilst in her Student Link role for CMHT South and Charlotte is lead author on the MESH paper published in the Royal College of Nursing journal for Learning Disabilities (available upon request). Charlotte notes:

“Engaging with this programme was influential in improving my professional development and has changed the way I approach research in practice.”

Sapphire Ackroyd and the PLDT team have also been instrumental in ensuring the successful allocation and support of our staff and students onto this programme. Alison Quarry, Julie Poxton and Cathy Woffendin also provided their support for its implementation into standard practice. This reflects the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s strategic plan, and our trusts support of it.
So, thank you to everyone who has supported this programme, whether they be staff, students, internal or external to our trust. If you would like more information, or to hear about other ways to easily learn about the practical side of research, please get in touch at research.lypft@nhs.net.

Page last updated: 18th Mar 2025 4:43pm