24^th October 2017

INVOLVE APPOINTS NEW CHAIR OF ADVISORY GROUP

INVOLVE – the NIHR Co-ordinating Centre for the promotion and advancement of public involvement in health research – is delighted to announce the appointment of Tina Coldham as the new Chair of its Advisory Group.

Tina is a mental health service user, research reviewer and survivor researcher. She has served for 5 years on the INVOLVE Advisory Group including 2 years on the INVOLVE Executive Group. Previously, she Chaired the National Survivor User Network (NSUN), is a Director of HASCAS (who conduct service reviews and homicide investigations) as well as an honorary visiting fellow in social policy and social work at the University of York. She is also a Trustee of the Social Care Institute for Excellence where she chairs their coproduction network.

Chris Whitty, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health said: “I am delighted that the appointment of the new INVOLVE Advisory Group Chair attracted much interest from around the UK – which is reflective of NIHR INVOLVE’s reputation as the national face of public involvement – and that we have been able to appoint an excellent candidate in Tina Coldham. Meaningful and inclusive public involvement is essential for the delivery of high quality research which is capable of meeting future care and health needs. The appointment of Tina as a strong service /user researcher Chair will strengthen the INVOLVE Advisory Group’s networks and influence as INVOLVE prepares to embark on its 2018-22 strategy.”

Tina said “I am delighted and very honoured to be appointed as the new INVOLVE Advisory Group Chair. INVOLVE encouraged me when I started out many years ago as a lay person in research, so I am excited to continue our journey together in this leadership role. Having a Chair who comes from a service user perspective significantly reinforces public involvement in, and user led research. There is plenty to do and I look forward to working with everyone in our endeavours.”

Zoe Gray, Director of INVOLVE, said: “Tina’s strong and unyielding passion for public involvement shone through at interview. She demonstrated a profound understanding of, and commitment to, the values and principles of INVOLVE as well as a substantial track record of leadership and achievement. The appointment panel unanimously felt that NIHR would benefit from a strong service user voice in the position of Chair at this time.

Tina Coldham will take over from the current Chair, Simon Denegri, on 1st December 2017.”

Notes to Editors

INVOLVE (www.involve.nihr.ac.uk) remains the only organisation worldwide which is dedicated to the promotion and advancement of public involvement in health research. Established in 1996, it has been fully funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) since 2006, and is currently hosted by University of Southampton Wessex Institute.

Following the ‘Going the Extra Mile’ strategic review in 2015 INVOLVE has been asked to provide national leadership on a number of key issues in public involvement. These include diversity and inclusion; learning and development; co-production and community; and supporting the development of regional networks.

Contact Details

Zoë Gray

Director of INVOLVE – NIHR

Telephone: 02380 595628

Email: involve@nihr.ac.uk