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Share your perspectives

Help researchers find out what works to support people with health problems to continue working.
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Make a difference to people in the future

Many people are unable to work, or are at risk of leaving work, due to health problems such as long-term conditions and mental health issues. This can negatively impact people’s wellbeing and financial security.

The Health and Growth Accelerator (HGA) is a new NHS-funded programme. It brings together a wide range of services that support physical and mental health and aims to boost confidence and help people stay connected to work or education.

Researchers on the Rose-NET project want to understand if this new approach is effective in improving people's wellbeing and ability to work.

Join this new Advisory Group

The Advisory Group will bring together people with different experiences to have a say on what is important for them in how the Health and Growth Accelerator programme is evaluated.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking to hear from people with a range of backgrounds, health conditions, caring responsibilities and work experiences, including those who:

  • Are currently not working due to health problems

  • Returned to work within the last year after ill health

  • Have left, or are considering leaving, work for health reasons

  • Have worked or volunteered in organisations supporting people at risk of leaving work (e.g., Shaw Trust, employment and wellbeing charities, social prescribing organisations)

We welcome input from people with lived experiences such as:

  • Poor mental health

  • Neurodiversity

  • Musculoskeletal conditions

  • Caring responsibilities

  • Women’s health and menopause

  • Dependence on alcohol

You don’t need to have any experience of research to get involved, but you need to be comfortable sharing your views and experience in group settings.  

We’re committed to ensuring that people from diverse backgrounds and with different experiences have a say in research. We aim to make our opportunities as inclusive and accessible as possible. If there is anything that we can do to enable you to take part, please let us know.

What to expect

You’ll be part of a group of around 6 people advising researchers. The group will meet mostly online via Teams around 2 times a year, with opportunities to offer feedback in other ways (such as online surveys) at different points throughout the year. Meetings will be friendly and informal and supported by a Vocal team member.

How we can support you:

  • You will receive £27.50 per hour via bank transfer as a thank you for your time. 

  • We’ll cover pre-agreed expenses, for services that you need to take part such as translation and interpretation, BSL interpreters.

  • We can support you with how to do online meetings.

  • Training and support will be provided by Vocal.

How to get involved

If you’d like to find out more about the group and how to get involved, please contact Jenny on vocal@mft.nhs.uk

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