Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement

I was first involved in health research as a PPIE for a long Covid study, led by DERA (Deep End Research Alliance, at the University of Sheffield) in 2022 and since, I have been involved in many health research projects because I wanted to represent my community, voices from the South Asian community that are often marginalised for social and economic reasons. 

In 2023, I was trained as a CHRLW (Community Health Research Link Worker) by DERA, to support researchers more strategically with developing inclusive PPIE, steering groups and advisory boards.  

In 2024, with the mentorship of DERA, I have taken an additional role as Project Manager for Deep End Leeds – a research alliance, NIHR funded, committed to diverse and representative health research, with a collaborative PPIE focus, at the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS), School of Medicine at The University of Leeds. 

I am also delighted to be part of REMAP, as a co PPIE Lead, which I supported previously, in its first stage before receiving this current 3-year funding. I have contributed to developing a very representative, quality PPIE groups of 5 people, from very diverse social and economic backgrounds, two of whom have agreed to be part of the Steering Group and the Advisory Board for REMAP. 

Raith has over 30 years’ experience as an environmental consultant and is a Research Community Link Worker based in South Yorkshire. 

Since 2022, he has been actively involved in PPIE, mental health research, and community engagement. Raith has worked with organisations including the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - contributing to cultural competence training, reverse mentoring, and PCREF projects. His work has been recognised with an award for impact, and he currently serves on the REMAP Steering Group, supporting diverse and representative public involvement in research.

Originally from Alexandria in Egypt, Dhalia was a French teacher before marrying. 

Dhalia was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus in 1998 - "I often go to hospital - it's like my second home."  

Dhalia is interested in the REMAP project because it highlights the importance of APs which she has seen regularly throughout the treatment of her health condition.