In this blog series we will be featuring our award winners and highly commended recipients from the Faculty’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to PPIE’ awards. The awards showcase inspirational and outstanding commitment to PPIE that has made a positive difference to our community and highlights the amazing events, activities, people and groups from across the Faculty.  

Our latest blog in this series features the Community Liaison Group, who have been highly commended in our Group category. The CLG has become a crucial component of the ClinPsyD Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course at the University of Manchester.  

The Community Liaison Group (CLG) was formed over 10 years ago and is an integral part of the ClinPsyD course structure and delivery. It functions to ensure that those with lived experience of mental health services, and/or those that care for them, provide meaningful input into the training of clinical psychologists in a variety of different ways.   

CLG members are fully embedded with course committees, including the programme executive committee and the recently formed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee. CLG members have also co-chaired workstreams at the programme’s annual Y3 research conference, providing feedback and selecting winning presentations. CLG members are also involved in the selection process for new trainees, and during their assessment. 

There are many other ways CLG members can get involved with the course programme. Members of the CLG with an interest in trainee projects have had the opportunity to be allocated as additional research collaborators. Members were given a set number of hours costed to attend supervision meetings and provide further guidance to the trainee.  

The aim of the scheme was for CLG members to contribute as much or as little as they like – depending on this, they may meet criteria for authorship on any publications that result from the trainee’s project. The initiative has been well received, with positive feedback from trainees, supervisors, and CLG members.  

The group also have specific teaching slots as part of the Power, Position, Privilege and Intersectionality (PPPI) module. As well as this, members work with lecturers to offer advice and support for specific teaching activities.  

During the May 2023 British Psychological Society re-accreditation visit, the activities of the CLG were commended as one of two areas of good practice on the programme. Such recognition underscores the added value that the group brings to the ClinPsyD course, making clear the integral role the group plays in the programme’s overall success.  

Find out more:  

• Community Liaison Group webpage 

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

To read more about other PPIE Award winners visit here. 

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