The Role and Impact of the Public Advisory Group at HDRC Medway

Why PAG was formed?   

The PAG was driven by a commitment to co-design, co-production and partnership working, and recognition that lived experience offers insights that cannot be gained through academic or clinical expertise alone. By involving public contributors from the outset, HDRC Medway aimed to build a research culture that is transparent, responsive, and grounded in community needs. 

Public involvement improves the relevance, reach, and quality of research. PAG members bring unique perspectives shaped by their lived experiences. Their contributions help; identify research questions that are meaningful to local communities, refine methodologies, and ensure that findings are communicated in accessible ways.

NIHR guidance highlights that public involvement can influence every stage of the research lifecycle — from design to dissemination. At HDRC Medway, this has been evident in the way PAG members have helped shape strategic documents, contributed to national resources, and supported the development of inclusive research practices. This has included shaping the HDRC Community Engagement Plan and the communications strategy to promote the plan.    

Recruitment and representation     

In the first year, the PAG was recruited through a formal expression of interest process, advertised on the council’s website, and managed using standard council procedures. Applications were anonymised and scored according to council criteria, resulting in 26 submissions, 12 interviews, and the selection of 6 members. Although recruitment was successful, it became clear that this process was not accessible for some community members, such as those with dyslexia or limited literacy. 

In the second year, the approach shifted to a more inclusive model, with recruitment carried out through partner organisations and community networks. This approached aimed to remove previous barriers and to open up participation to a wider range of people, including those who use British Sign Language.17 expressions of interest were received, and all applicants were interviewed and scored, this time with a stronger emphasis on lived experience.   

Communication and engagement    

Effective communication is central to the success of the PAG. HDRC Medway maintains regular contact with members through email updates and scheduled meetings. Communication occurs regularly via a WhatsApp group, where members share petitions, awards, and other relevant updates. Official updates from the HDRC team are sent every 6–8 weeks, though individuals may be contacted more frequently depending on their involvement in specific projects. The PICE Lead and PAG Chair also maintains regular contact with members. A PAG newsletter was in place almost from the start of the group and this has been relaunched in a new format following feedback.  

These channels ensure members are kept informed, can share feedback, and remain connected to the wider HDRC team. Meetings are structured to include formal agenda items and informal check-ins, fostering a sense of community and mutual respect.  

Both senior HDRC colleagues and PAG representatives attend the HDRC Partnership Board to reinforce the value of public involvement and to ensure PAG insights are at the heart of decision making.  

In addition to strategic discussions, PAG members have helped shape project development through their participation in research workshops. Some members also took part in ‘A Better Medway (ABM) Champions event’, strengthening the connection between public involvement and community health leadership.  

Several members are now also training as ABM Champions. This role provides training for members of the public so they can help their friends, families and the wider community make informed choices about healthy lifestyles.  

Activities and contributions    

The PAG meets quarterly, including attendance at the Partnership Board meetings on a rota basis. 

During its initial phase, PAG’s contributions were largely centred around administrative tasks, including reviewing documents and drafting written input. While this laid important groundwork, members expressed a clear interest in being directly involved in research-related activities. In response, the team introduced opportunities for engagement, including forming a prioritisation group to explore research briefs and pilot research questions, and offered Fingertips data training to the first cohort of members. 

Members have been actively involved in a range of activities that demonstrate the value of co-design and collaboration, they have:    

• Helped shape a research project exploring loneliness in Medway, contributing to the framing of questions and identifying community groups to involve    

• Co-designed elements of the programme’s strategic plan, ensuring that public priorities were reflected in long-term goals.    

• Helped develop a glossary of research terms, used nationally to improve accessibility and understanding of health data research 

These examples highlight how members have moved beyond advisory roles to become co-creators of research and policy.    

Impact and member experience    

The involvement of PAG members has had a transformative impact on HDRC Medway. Their insights have shaped infrastructure, improved communication, and strengthened the HDRC’s connection to communities in Medway. Several members have gone on to become co-applicants on research bids, while others have provided consultancy on new projects — a testament to the depth of their engagement and the trust placed in their expertise.    

The PAG is an integral component of HDRC’s identity, exemplifying how structured public involvement can elevate the quality and relevance of health data research. The HDRC is now better equipped to deliver research that is ethical, impactful, and aligned with public needs.  

For members, the experience has been empowering and enriching. Many have reported increased confidence, learned new skills, and been given a sense of purpose. Their contributions have influenced research and helped build a more inclusive and responsive research culture.    

Learning from the PAG 

An evaluation of the first year has taken place, you can read about this in more detail here. Some key lessons HDRC Medway would like to share are:  

• Be transparent – it is important to be clear about what the PAG role will involve and if this is administrative tasks (e.g., reviewing documents, translating into plain English, shaping policies) or research activity.  

• Think about the length of PAG membership - HDRC Medway extended the initial one-year term of PAG members as this was too short. An 18 month or 2-year commitment will allow more time for members to become established and confident in their roles. Having more than one advisory group for different purposes may also help distribute workload and broaden representation. 

• Diverse representation – think about how to ensure diverse voices are represented alongside council processes and priorities.  

For more details, please contact Alexandra Bucur-Nica, Research Involvement Project Manager on alexandra.nica@medway.gov.uk

This learning story was prepared with support from NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health delivered by Newcastle University and Partners. With thanks to HDRC Medway for providing the content.