Some years ago I went to a meeting concerning recruitment of patients for a group at the local medical university . We had no idea where this would or would not lead . We listened . We gave in our details including medical conditions we had . Expecting never to hear from them again . But , I heard from them , it was concerning Arthritis . I enjoyed the meetings including the biscuits as this was before dreaded Covid . I was suddenly on a few groups . We made friends and not just of our age group . The administration team are brilliant they keep us together , involved and in touch .
During Covid we carried on virtually but we stayed being as helpful as possible . We laughed together , we still had our groups , we were still treated as an important resource .
I ' ve been a lead Patient and Public Involvement member not just for Keele but also for Warwick University and even Southampton University I loved every moment of my years helping students , groups and Professors . You are made to feel really useful .
Bev Henderson Research User Group member
Keele