Changing our worlds: Examples of user-controlled research in action

2010 Conference

Abstract:

Earlier this year Alison was commissioned by INVOLVE to look in detail at seven examples of user-controlled research. The report of this work is launched at the Conference, as is the film produced to accompany it. The examples demonstrate research carried out by service user-led organisations, disabled people’s organisations or organisations of patients set up to support each other, as well as two projects carried out by young people supported by the National Youth Agency Young Researchers Network. Whilst each of the projects is unique, there are some common themes that will be shared with conference delegates.

Three of the projects will be presenting their research and inviting discussion about some of the issues to emerge.

About the authors:

Alison Faulkner is a freelance researcher, writer and trainer working from a service user/survivor perspective. She has over 20 years’ experience of social research mainly in the mental health field, and has worked for most of the national mental health charities.

Verity Joyce is a research consultant for Vision Sense. She originally trained as a physiotherapist but became a freelance researcher, consultant and trainer, working mainly in the area of Deaf British Sign Language users and health/social care to reduce inequalities. She is currently doing an MA in Social Research which was inspired from the Deaf Mental Health Pathways project.

From the age of 29 Lyn Mynott suffered from many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism but her blood tests were normal. She was diagnosed 15 years later. She appeared on Watchdog Healthcheck and received hundreds of communications from people in the same situation. She set up Thyroid UK in 2001 and is Chair/Chief Executive.

Darren Sharpe is a PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University Childhood and Youth Research Institute. He formerly worked for the National Youth Agency Young Researcher Network.

Authors

Crawford ~ Daniel

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Faulkner ~ Alison

Independent Service User Researcher. Alison Faulkner works as a freelance researcher, trainer and consultant in mental health. Much of her work is connected with involving mental health services in research. Alison also has experience as a user of mental health services and has written and presented extensively on the subject of mental health services from a user/survivor perspective. She is currently working with the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) National Involvement Partnership to develop national standards for involvement.

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