Patient & Public Involvement Training

The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Training Programme – Autumn 2026 is a professional development workshop organized by The Institute of Mental Health (IMH), one of the UK's leading organizations dedicated to advancing mental health research, innovation, and education. Delivered online through Microsoft Teams, this CPD-accredited programme is designed to equip researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, and public contributors with the knowledge and practical skills required to involve patients and the public meaningfully in health and care research.

Patient and Public Involvement has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare research. Instead of conducting research solely from an academic perspective, PPI ensures that research priorities, methods, and outcomes reflect the real experiences and needs of patients, carers, families, and communities. This training programme provides participants with an opportunity to understand best practices while developing confidence in collaborative working.

Running from 9 September to 7 October 2026, the programme consists of structured learning sessions led by experienced trainers and researchers. Participants will gain practical insights into planning, implementing, and evaluating public involvement activities while learning how collaborative partnerships can improve research quality and impact.

Why This Workshop Matters

Healthcare research is increasingly expected to involve patients and members of the public throughout the research process. Evidence consistently demonstrates that meaningful engagement improves research relevance, participant recruitment, communication, and implementation of findings.

This workshop supports these objectives by providing practical training that helps participants understand:

• Principles of effective public involvement
• Ethical and inclusive engagement practices
• Building sustainable partnerships
• Designing research with community input
• Evaluating the impact of involvement

The programme combines expert presentations, interactive discussions, collaborative exercises, and practical examples drawn from real mental health research projects.

Learning Objectives

Participants attending this workshop will develop practical knowledge in several important areas, including:

• Understanding Patient and Public Involvement principles
• Identifying appropriate involvement opportunities throughout research
• Designing inclusive engagement strategies
• Working effectively with lived experience contributors
• Building confidence in collaborative decision-making
• Evaluating PPI activities
• Meeting funding body expectations
• Improving research quality through public engagement

Each session encourages active participation, allowing attendees to share experiences and learn from fellow researchers, healthcare professionals, and community representatives.

Who Should Attend?

This training programme is suitable for professionals at various stages of their careers, including:

• Mental health researchers
• Clinical researchers
• NHS healthcare professionals
• University academics
• Public involvement coordinators
• Research nurses
• Patient representatives
• Community engagement officers
• Health charity professionals
• Research managers
• PhD students
• Early career researchers

Individuals who are new to Patient and Public Involvement will gain an excellent introduction, while experienced professionals can strengthen their existing knowledge through current best practices and shared learning.

Programme Benefits

Participants completing the programme can expect numerous professional benefits.

CPD Accreditation

The programme is CPD accredited, allowing attendees to record valuable continuing professional development hours.

Expert Instruction

Training is delivered by experienced professionals involved in leading mental health research initiatives across the UK.

Interactive Learning

Rather than relying solely on lectures, the workshop incorporates practical activities, case studies, and group discussions.

Networking Opportunities

Attendees will connect with researchers, clinicians, public contributors, and healthcare professionals from different organizations.

Practical Resources

Participants receive guidance and practical examples that can immediately be applied within future research projects.

Importance of Public Involvement in Mental Health Research

Mental health research presents unique challenges because experiences vary significantly between individuals and communities. By involving patients and carers from the earliest planning stages, researchers gain valuable perspectives that cannot be obtained through traditional academic approaches alone.

Public involvement contributes to:

• Better research questions
• Improved participant recruitment
• More accessible study materials
• Greater trust between researchers and communities
• Improved dissemination of findings
• Enhanced real-world impact

The Institute of Mental Health has consistently promoted collaborative research approaches that place lived experience at the centre of innovation and service improvement.

Why Attend This Event?

Attending this workshop offers practical value regardless of whether participants are new to research or experienced investigators.

The programme provides current guidance aligned with modern healthcare research standards while encouraging collaborative thinking and practical implementation. Participants leave with greater confidence in developing inclusive research practices and stronger understanding of how meaningful public involvement improves research quality.

For healthcare organizations, universities, charities, and NHS partners, these skills contribute directly to stronger funding applications, improved research delivery, and greater community engagement.

About The Institute of Mental Health

The Institute of Mental Health is based at the University of Nottingham's Innovation Park and works closely with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and numerous research partners. The Institute supports world-class research, education, public engagement, and innovation across multiple areas of mental health, including dementia, neurodevelopmental disorders, digital mental health, recovery, and public involvement.

Its events programme includes conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, and professional development courses that promote collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and people with lived experience.

Final Thoughts

The Patient and Public Involvement Training Programme – Autumn 2026 represents an outstanding opportunity for professionals interested in strengthening collaborative research practices within healthcare and mental health. Through expert-led instruction, interactive learning, and practical guidance, attendees will gain valuable knowledge that supports more inclusive, effective, and impactful research.

Whether you work in academia, the NHS, healthcare research, or community engagement, this free CPD-accredited workshop offers practical skills that can immediately improve your approach to patient and public involvement while expanding your professional network across the UK's mental health research community.