As a PPI contributor, we will try and support you in the ways that work best for you, as we understand that everyone has different requirements to be part of what we do.
In this guide
On this page
- How will we support you
- Working together
- Communication with you
- How we let you know about new Academy opportunities
- What will you gain working with us?
- Beyond the limits of this work
How will we support you
For all Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) contributors, we will:
Pay you for your time and expenses
We appreciate the time and effort you take to support us, and we will reimburse you for this. Find out more about payment and expenses for PPI contributors.
Be clear about our expectations
We will make it clear what we want from you in your role. If it isn’t clear, please get in touch and we will help you understand your role.
Stay connected
We will keep in contact with you - so you know how the project is progressing. You can check in with members of the engagement team, especially if you have any questions or ideas for us.
Give you the training you need
If a project asks you to do something you don’t have experience of and training is available, we will offer you this.
Keep you informed
We will provide you with all the documents you need – if you feel there is something more you need from us, don’t hesitate to let us know.
Support your accessibility needs
We will help you with any access requirements you have – find out more about accessibility for PPI contributors.
Ask for your feedback
We will invite you to feedback on how individual projects were which allows us to improve and ensure that your involvement is meaningful.
Working together
We are grateful for and welcome all your input. Each project is different, but we have some agreements that the Academy staff and PPI contributors should meet.
We will:
Attend meetings as agreed
We all have lives beyond these projects, so we will let others know if we can’t make it.
Be active listeners
We will actively listen to, and consider, different viewpoints on a range of subjects.
Express our views on the topic
There are many ways you can this and we welcome you doing what works best for you. For example, this may be writing them down or sending them to a member of the Engagement team.
Keep asking questions
We’ll do this until we get enough information or an explanation allowing you to understand fully what is being talked about.
Be open to hearing all views
We’ll challenge current thinking in ways that are both creative and supportive, where we offer feedback without being critical or unfair.
Be clear about our requirements for time
Let others know if we need more time when working on a project - timelines are often flexible.
Be prepared
We will prepare for meetings by reading the information provided.
Respect everyone’s confidentiality
We’ll keep our work confidential and maintain confidentiality about all aspects of meetings attended.
Be honest about our capabilities
We’ll only commit to a project if we have the time and capacity to do so. The amount of time required will vary widely between projects.
Communication with you
We will always try to communicate with you in the ways that suit you best.
We will generally send most information by email to begin with, but we can always arrange a meeting or a phone call to talk things through if anything is unclear.
However, you can always let us know if you would like to receive information more or less frequently, or if you are not receiving information in the most useful way.
We may occasionally pass on relevant opportunities from other organisations. The Academy is part of a big network of similar organisations, and we all work collaboratively where possible. Please let us know if you’d prefer not to hear about these opportunities.
How we let you know about new Academy opportunities
There are a few different ways that we might let you know about new opportunities, but usually we will send you a dedicated email when the Academy is starting a new activity.
We may also advertise opportunities on social media or through our newsletters, or we may ask our existing contacts to recommend people who might be well suited.
When we advertise new opportunities to get involved, it is entirely up to you whether you choose to respond. Turning down an opportunity will never affect your chances of being invited to participate again in future.
You can ask to stop receiving invitations at any point, either temporarily or permanently.
What will you gain working with us?
We hope you will enjoy working with us and this will give you the opportunity to:
- influence medical science policy and research, making a real difference to lives of people.
- have further knowledge of medical conditions.
- see different parts of medical research and funding.
- take personal satisfaction.
- develop new skills (depending on the projects you are involved with).
Beyond the limits of this work
Taking part in a project with the Academy does not mean you have been employed by the Academy. While we pay participants for their time, you will not have a contract of employment.
You will not have the responsibilities or rights of an employee. You can leave our projects at any time without warning or explanation. You will not be assigned set working hours or tasks. The Academy will not be responsible for sick pay or providing holiday leave.
The Academy is not able to advise you on personal issues. We are not able to give medical, legal or financial advice, or to intervene in cases on your behalf.
Working with us is not taking part in a scientific experiment or clinical trial. The Academy has no active scientists working for us, and we do not have laboratories, clinics or academic teaching programmes.