Celebrating research with the launch of a new Take Part in Research online database, and lighting up buildings for #Red4Research day

This Friday, 16 June, is #Red4Research day. Red for Research Day brings together all those participating, supporting, and undertaking research working collectively on health and social care research. 

To celebrate, we will be lighting up the Maudsley Hospital and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) in red at 9pm this evening, to show our commitment to supporting research and development at the Trust.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust will also be launching a brand new online website – Take Part in Research – a new resource aimed at service users, and the wider public, to help more people to get involved in mental health research taking place at the Trust and IoPPN.

The 'Take Part in Research' web pages list a variety of research opportunities and is part of the Trust's strategic commitment to offer opportunities to all patients, and be a catalyst for change, building on our world-leading expertise through its partnership with IoPPN.

Tanya Shlovogt, Director of Research Quality, Head of Joint R&D Office of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and IoPPN said:

“This is a fantastic development, and we encourage everyone to take a look at the site and get involved in sharing research opportunities. Research is at the heart of everything we do and helps us to expand our knowledge and practices whilst providing opportunities for novel treatments and therapies. Our new database will help us to reach more people, particularly service users, as we want everyone to have equal opportunity to take part and benefit from the world leading research that the Trust offers.”

Research Champion at the Trust, Irfan Bin Mohd Shofian, said:

“I believe that research provides evidence to drive better treatment outcomes for our patients and staff. The impact might not be immediately obvious, but they all contribute crucial understanding and insights in building meaningful change for future generations.”

Service user and volunteer Charlie Costa said:

“Research is close to home, it’s really important to me. I didn’t have a diagnosis for years, but if more research had been around when I was younger, I might not have had to go through that. I’ve taken part in loads of different studies and trials - from having iPads sent to me and answering questionnaires, to coming into the hospital or going in a scanner. Doing research is one of the ways I want to give back to others, and make sure that we get more knowledge and more people talking about mental health.”

And Service User Researcher Katherine Barrett added:

“Mental health research enables new ways of looking at mental illness, finding new, practical approaches and implementing new ideas - which ultimately benefits everyone. I have many good experiences of being part of research and I’ve learnt a lot through my involvement. For example, I’ve learnt about various mental illnesses and all the different ways of conducting trials. I think co-production with service users in research is important, as everyone learns so much. Service user voices and experiences give new perspectives for the researcher, and lead to improvements in their research.”

The webpages launch on Monday 19 June, and can be found at this link: Take Part in Research.

Pictured above and below: Maudsley Hospital and buildings across the IoPPN will be lit up at 9pm this evening to celebrate Red4Research day.