At ARC Wessex we live by the rule that people and patients should be involved in having a say in our research.
We often work with people and patient contributors to help in a number of ways:
Being part of research teams in checking and making sense of language used – turning it from scientific or medical language into plain English.
Some people sit on one of the advisory councils recommending how to carry out research and what else to consider, these people help to advise on strategy at a high level.
Some people just want to take part in a research project for example, living with a health condition or experience of care or caring. Their input helps us to find solutions to care and health issues.
There are many other ways to be involved, and we will do our best to fit around you and your time. We will also pay for your time and expenses.
At ARC Wessex we believe strongly in including people and communities in our research. This way we hope to collaborate with people in answering the health and care research questions most relevant to them.
You will hear the phrases PPIE (Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement) – also Research Inclusion and Community Engagement.
Basically, you can’t include people in the research process unless you engage with communities and involve them in creating solutions or answers to health and care issues.
We want to do research where people live – in their neighbourhoods (town, city, village) and we promise equity – equal chances for people whatever their background to have equal access to research and to be fair.
You can always find out more by emailing us at arcwessex@soton.ac.uk – at the moment we are building as many ways for people to get in touch as we can, but for now it’s just email. We’re working it!