Opportunities as a PPI consultant

PPI member shares their reflections about presenting to teams since consulting on the trial

Presenting to NHS teams

My stomach somersaulted down a hill before my first NHS Clinical Team Presentation. I felt so nervous but the moment I spoke all my nerves disappeared and I felt fine to talk about my perspective of being a Patient & Public Involvement Consultant (PPI) on the Avatar2 Therapy Trial.

"I felt I wanted to ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ and I’m so glad I did."

There are many ways to be involved when you are a PPI Consultant, and you have the flexibility to choose the things that you are interested in and feel comfortable with. Not everyone likes speaking in public, including me! You totally don’t have to, but I felt I wanted to ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ and I’m so glad I did.

Ollie and Lucy, who are Research Assistants on the trial, arranged a meeting with me beforehand to discuss any worries I might have and see what I would like to share at the meeting. They also did a catch-up just after the meeting to check-in and see how I was feeling, which was a really good way to process how things had gone and make sure I was oaky. I felt so supported and proud that I had conquered a fear.

I did reflect after on how it went and feel I could have spoken more slowly but I guess I’ll learn this the more I do and have already decided I’m happy to do another one. Hopefully my stomach won’t be dancing so much next time but I bet it does!

If you are thinking of becoming a PPI Consultant I say, go for it. There are so many new skills you can learn and personally, because I am a carer for a loved one with psychosis, I like feeling like I am giving something back.