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Patient and Public Involvement

Patient and Public Involvement

The involvement of service users and carers is crucial in ensuring that the voices of those who have experienced mental health issues either directly or indirectly, are central to the study.

ERA Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP)

The ERA Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) helps to support the research team at all points through the programme of research, offering their expertise and insight into what it is like to live with, or care for someone, with mental health issues.

The ERA LEAP meets 2-3 times a year to advise us on a wide range of issues, from how we approach potential participants, to how we work with and communicate about the study. LEAP members also attend our regular trial management meetings.

The LEAP expert members come from all walks of life and reflect the diversity of people affected by mental health issues.

Robert Lock (Chair)

"I joined the research study from the beginning, I wanted to be involved in this research study because I found it interesting and I wanted to know what was good for my mental health - either talking therapies or Art therapies. I believe the Art therapies are a perfect way of helping others get their thoughts and feelings out of their head"

This is a picture of Robert Lock

Jane Fernandes

"I have enjoyed being part of the LEAP and working with the researchers on all aspects of the study. The researchers have all been very supportive and valued our input. They have kept us informed of all developments in the study and taken on board suggestions and ideas from the lived experience perspective that they may have missed or not thought about"

This is a picture of Jane Fernandes

Anjjie Chhapia

"My views on diversity, inclusion and participation have been acknowledged and I am glad they are taken into consideration. The ERA study has made me more confident in joined-up working with research teams and is of so much value; a win-win for all."

Picture of Anjjie

Peter Farrell

"I've had group Music Therapy. I really enjoyed it and we even made a CD! (I can't say I'm the best singer but I tried my best). Because of this, I was really excited to work on the ERA study and to help make Arts Therapies more accessible to other people"

Picture of Peter

East London NHS Foundation Trust People Participation and Working Together Groups

The People Participation and Working Together groups at East London NHS Foundation Trust regularly meet to ensure the views and ideas of service users, their families, and carers are heard. ELFT People Participation were instrumental in helping us to organise, film and develop the arts therapies videos which participants base their modality choice on in ERA. They are also helping to link service users interested in taking part in the study to researchers and provide ongoing advice to the study team.

Read more about ELFT People Participation here​

SUGAR – (Service User and Carer Group Advising on Research)

SUGAR members discuss and contribute to various aspects of research projects and the research process across London. They meet every month and have also written journal papers and give conference workshops, presentations and poster presentations. We go to SUGAR regularly for advice on the ERA study. SUGAR have helped ERA from the very beginning with the study design, modality videos and advising on participant-facing information.

​Read more about SUGAR here