Virtual meetings were new to the majority of users and carers ( and Faculty staff ). New processes for holding virtual meetings were developed with users and carers , in line with the UK Standards for Public Involvement . This included the following initiatives :
Helping users and carers to take part in virtual meetings
• Online
‘ how to ’ guides on public involvement and engagement in research resulting from Keele ’ s role as a UK Standards for Public Involvement pilot site were launched , in collaboration with the NIHR Research Design Service West Midlands .
• A guide was provided to user and carers with information on how to access and participate in virtual meetings via Skype , Google , Zoom and Microsoft Teams .
• A fortnightly e-bulletin was created to keep the group up to date , with links to evidencebased information about mental and physical health conditions .
• One member of the team was supplied with a phone for use at home to stay in contact with users and carers who may not have access to digital technology .
• Support staff started calls 15 minutes early to ensure that everyone could connect . Most members joined early for social contact as many were shielding or living alone . Support staff would also stay on the call after the meeting to get feedback from the members on what had worked well and what could be improved on .
• A trial run was often arranged prior to meetings for those needing extra support , with technical advice on apps to download so that users and casers could access meetings .
Of particular note and significance was the
posthumous award to Katie , who received the NIHR School for Primary Care Research Award for exceptional contribution to patient and public involvement prize 2020 . This was for her contribution to the development of the School of Medicine ’ s mental health research theme . One Award reviewer remarked , “ The nomination was a delight to read and I hope that the work that Katie has contributed to continues to flourish as the impact she has made improves the life of many ”.
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