Co-Production
Our Co-Production Council plays a crucial role in embedding patient perspectives into scientific research, ensuring ethical standards and improving the real-world impact of mental health studies. Through structured collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity, the Council aims to make significant contributions to the development of personalised therapeutics for SMI.
What we do
The Co-Production Council was established at the outset of ImmunoMIND to ensure that Patient and Public Involvement is embedded throughout the work. Independently chaired by Sarah Rae, the Council comprises six members who bring the perspectives of people with personal lived experience of severe mental illness (SMI) as well as carers. The purpose of the Council is to ensure that lived experience is meaningfully embedded throughout the delivery of the scientific programme and its research outputs over the five-year period, with tangible patient benefit as the guiding principle. The Council makes key decisions collectively.
The Council directly manages a separate budget to ensure that people with lived experience involved in ImmunoMIND are appropriately compensated and to support the delivery of our 3 co-produced projects as well as communications and training activities.
Our key responsibilities are;
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To work in equal partnership with scientists to co-lead three therapeutic personalisation projects with dedicated project teams:
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To contribute diverse lived experiences and professional expertise to the programme
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To programme outcomes are relevant and beneficial to patients and the public by rigorously reviewing and, where appropriate, challenging research findings.
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To oversee data management and information governance to support the ethical use of big data.
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To effectively manage the budget for patient and public involvement.
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To ensure information and dissemination materials are current, accessible, and tailored to the needs of patients and the public.
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To co-develop accessible and informative outputs, including this website, a podcast, and other dissemination materials.
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To evaluate the impact of the Council on the research projects and internal operations.
Principles & Values
The Co-Production Council is committed to equity, inclusion, transparency, and ethical research.
We believe in;
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A trauma-sensitive approach
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A non-judgmental and supportive environment
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Transparency and confidentiality
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Encouraging diverse participation and learning opportunities for members
Who we are
We are a collective of people with lived experience of severe mental illness. We know what it means to be seen as data rather than heard as people - and we believe research must include real voices, not just numbers.
Together with academic scientists, we co-produce projects that challenge stigma, shape, and improve treatment and outcomes for people like us.
Our group brings a wide range of expertise - spanning PPI leadership and evaluation, data analysis, communication, community engagement, medical practice, and data privacy and risk. But what connects us most is a shared understanding of the reality, resilience, and complexity of living with mental health challenges.
We write, speak, and create with honesty and heart, contributing to evidence that feels meaningful and human. For us, research is not only about findings - it is about connection, collaboration, and change rooted in lived experience.
