Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) describes the way in which our world-leading teaching and research is actively shared with and shaped by both our local and global communities for mutual benefit.

From shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals and scientists to our ground-breaking research, so much of our work within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) directly addresses the needs of the public and patients. Therefore, to ensure our work remains relevant and of value, it is vital we actively integrate PPIE within all our lines of practice.

Knowing where and how to identify relevant PPIE partners and promote your involvement opportunities can often be the most difficult step to successfully embedding PPIE. It is important that involvement opportunities are advertised through multiple outlets, ensuring you not only reach the right audiences, but also represent diverse and underrepresented groups. In this blog, we guide you through the various outlets and resources available to help maximise your outreach.

The Faculty’s Social Responsibility and Public Engagement Digest

• Our team’s monthly digest advertises various involvement opportunities, key resources and upcoming events to subscribers of the newsletter, including University staff and students, external partners and members of the public.
• It is the perfect way to reach a wide audience, with subscribers already having an active interest in PPIE.
• You can access our digest resource template, which outlines how to formulate and structure your advert.
• To be included in the next digest, email srbmh@manchester.ac.uk with details of your opportunity.

People in Research

• The National Institute of Health and Social Care Research have a People in Research page, advertising a wide range of PPIE opportunities in the NHS, public health and social care research to a large audience.
• To find out more and list your opportunity, please visit their website. 

Shaping Our Lives

• Shaping Our Lives is a non-profit user-led organisation, specialising in inclusive involvement in research and policymaking for marginalised communities. Working with diverse groups of people, they support them in sharing their lived experiences and having their say in health and social care.
• Their Involvement Opportunities Board allows you to advertise engagement, involvement, co-production and research opportunities to underrepresented groups.
• For more information and details on how to advertise your involvement opportunity, please visit their website.

Community Groups and Organisations

• When carrying out your PPIE activities, connect with local community groups and organisations.
• Establishing positive and trusted relationships with local groups can broaden your network, allowing you to reach groups, underrepresented in research whom may be facing health inequalities.

Social Media

• As well as advertising on your own social media accounts, including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, consider reaching out to internal and external groups with a larger following to post, repost and like your opportunities, boosting engagement and increasing outreach to a wider audience.
• Contact our team if you would like your involvement opportunities and events promoted via our X account (@FBMH_SR).

Canva

• Rather than formatting involvement opportunities through written posts, visual aids can be used to increase accessibility and engagement.
• Canva is a free online graphic design tool that allows users to create social media posts, posters and presentations.
• It is important that visual content isn’t overcrowded or text-heavy; it must be appealing and draw attention. Ensure only key details, with links to more information, are included and lay language is used.

To find out more about PPIE: watch our short film, sign up to the monthly Public Engagement Digest, visit the PPIE blog, follow @FBMH_SR, visit our PPIE Toolkit or contact srbmh@manchester.ac.uk.   

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