Research Conferences

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2025 Research & Development Conference

We're excited to share that our 2025 national virtual Research and Development Conference will run on  Tuesday 14 October and Wednesday 15 October  with 2 daily sessions, 10-12noon and 1-3pm.

Tickets are free and everyone is welcome to join us. The ticket booking site will go live on Monday 7 July at 10am. We will share the link here.

We are in the final stages of planning but are really pleased to share the agenda below. For further information about the speakers please click the 'Speaker biographies' drop down here:

Speaker biographies

Speakers on Tuesday 14 October:

Psychosis session:

Dr Ayomipo Jeremiah Amiola: combines roles in clinical psychiatry, medical education and neurodevelopmental disorders research. He is currently a registrar in the School of Psychiatry East of England, where he is the Higher Trainee Representative, and he sits on the faculty of St George's University Grenada as a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry.    

He is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists where he is a trainee editor in the Books Committee and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, where he is a council member of the Intellectual Disability Forum.    

He has authored several book chapters and published articles in peer reviewed medical journals.  

Dr Charlotte Aynsworth: is a Clinical psychologist and NIHR Doctoral and Clinical Academic Practitioner Fellow based within HARP (Hub for Advancing Research in Psychosis) at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW). Having specialised in delivering psychological therapies for people with psychosis for over 12 years, she remained research active such as Trial Co-ordinating large scale multisite RCT’s including gameChange (Oxford University) and Managing Unusual Sensory Experiences in First Episode Psychosis (MUSE FEP, CNTW). She is now undertaking an NIHR DCAF fellowship aimed at developing our understanding and treatment of visual hallucinations in psychosis, based at CNTW and University of York.

Dr Samuel Sargeant: is an Early Career Researcher based within The Open University lecturing on medieval literature and creative writing. Samuel has lived experience of Visions. He has helped develop resources/materials for others with these experiences.

Dementia session:

Dr Ruan-Ching Yu: is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University College London (UCL), specialising in cognitive health, ageing, and neurodegenerative diseases. Her research covers topics including hearing loss, dementia risk, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive assessment, with a focus on early detection and prevention strategies. Her recent work, shared by NIHR, contributes to understanding how hearing health impacts cognitive ageing.

Jim Ridley:

Faith Frost: is a Research Associate at the Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester. Faith has worked on research studies around Namaste Care, the Care Home Action Researcher in Residence Model (CHARM) and Meeting Centres. She has experience of working with people living with dementia, family carers and care home communities, to improve person-centred care through research. Faith was Research Associate on the NIHR funded research study, ‘Crossing the line – family carers experiences of delivering unpaid personal care’. During this study, she worked collaboratively with family carers and professionals to co-produce accessible information resources, to support unpaid family carers providing personal care for people living with dementia. Faith also has experience in the field of inclusive design and has worked on acute hospital wards and in care settings with people living with dementia, designing and delivering sensory and creative workshops.

Speakers on Wednesday 15 October:

Learning Disabilities session:

Prof Kylie Gray: Professor of Psychology and Neurodevelopmental Conditions,  Social Policy and Society at the University of Birmingham.

Prof Richard Hastings: (Professor of Psychology Health and Social Care, 125th Anniversary Chair, Director of the Intellectual Disabilities Research Institute, University of Birmingham) is an internationally leading applied researcher in the field of intellectual disabilities, special education, and more broadly in youth mental health. With colleagues, he has secured >£30million in research grants and published 440 peer reviewed journal publications. Richard was elected Fellow of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) in 2004. He has received awards for his research from the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (International Award 2021), the National (USA) Association for the Dually Diagnosed (2023 Steven Reiss Research Award), and IASSIDD (Research Award 2024). He was also previously the Editor in Chief of the main research journal in intellectual disabilities (Journal of Intellectual Disability Research) (2018-2021) and has served as an associate/action editor or editorial board member for 17 other peer review research journals.

Dr. Josh Hodgson: Hi, my name’s Josh. I’m an independent sector/social care nurse by background, having had a range of roles in specialist learning disabilities, mental health, management, quality, research and academic environments. I have a keen interest in lived experience, co-production and I serve as one of the Co-Chairs of the Learning Disability Nursing Shared Professional Decision-Making Council facilitated by NHS England alongside being an Associate Member of the UK Learning Disability Consultant Nurse Network.

Community led research session

Simone Thompson:  I have a number of years experience working in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, working with a range of charities, from people living with a serious mental health illness through to therapeutic horticulture! My one true passion is supporting people and communities, having led an infrastructure organisation in North Devon, I recently moved roles to work in Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Very similar communities and challenges… just a bit further from the sea!

I now work for a new charity called Community Power of which Healthwatch Herefordshire is a vital part. We are all about bringing about community change, challenging health inequalities and building equity. Along with a number of partners, we are working on raising the voices and advocating for seldom heard communities.

Sam Topping: 

Angela Lickorish: is an experienced PPI (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement) co-ordinator from MPFT (Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust) whose role is to identify and support PPI volunteers. Angela has a social work background (Children and Families and Family Court Advisor).  

Dr Magdalena Skrybant - NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands, NIHR Midlands Patient Safety Research Collaboration, University of Birmingham. Magdalena has a background in languages (Russian and Polish) and completed a PhD in Polish history. When she was diagnosed with several auto-immune conditions, Magdalena became involved as a public contributor, which led to a career in Public Involvement.

Currently, Magdalena works as a Senior Public Involvement Manager for two NIHR-Funded Centres: NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands and NIHR Midlands Patient Safety Research Collaboration. Magdalena also leads PPIE on a range of externally-funded projects. Through her roles as a Public Involvement Manager, Magdalena ensures that patients, service users and member of the public shape health and care research. This includes ensuring that: health and care research addresses issues that are important to people and communities; research design and delivery is effective; research findings are communicated to the right audiences in appropriate formats; and that we work with people and communities to ensure that what we know from research is translated into what we do in health and care services.

Joy Krishnamoorthy - Flourish Community Health Collaborative CIC. Joy is the Manager of Flourish, an open network of community and statutory organisations working together to reduce health inequalities in West Birmingham. Her varied background includes 15 years in the Marketing & Communications Department at Birmingham City University, where she developed a familiarity with BCU's healthcare training portfolio. Joy's work with the NHS began in 2017 with a two-year project to establish a young volunteer programme at Birmingham Women's andChildren's NHS Foundation Trust. She has supported Flourish since its inception in 2022 as a project within a larger charity, and is now a Director of the newly-established Flourish Community Health Collaborative CIC.

Speaker from the University of Worcester - TBC

Research Conferences

Conference agenda:

Tuesday 14.10.25:

10am-12noon: Psychosis focus

- Dr Charlotte Aynsworth: ‘The value in being curious about visions in psychosis’ 

- Dr Ayo Amiola: ‘Psychosis in Neuro-developmental Disorders: a case series and reflections on diagnosis and management’

- 3rd speaker tbc

 

1-3pm: Dementia focus

Dr Ruan-Ching Yu: ‘ Hearing loss and dementia risk: Exploring the links and implications’

Jim Ridley: ‘ Learning disabilities and dementia’

Faith Frost: ‘Crossing the Line: Providing personal care in the context of families affected by dementia’

 

Wednesday 15.10.24:

10am-12noon: Learning Disability focus:

- Prof Kylie Gray: ' Specific phobias in children and adolescents with moderate-severe learning disabilities (SPIRIT): An adaptation and feasibility study'

- Prof Richard Hastings: Positive Family Connections: Co-producing with family    carers a support programme for family  carers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities’

- Dr Josh Hodgson: 'An exploration of student nurse attitudes towards learning disability nursing from outside the field'

 

1-3pm: Community Engagement in Research:

- Simone Thompson & Sam Topping: ‘Research in a rural community’

- Angela Lickorish: ‘ A journey of a regional West Midlands Research Engagement Network project and it’s utilisation of research buses'

- Dr Magdalena Skrybant & Joy Krishnamoorthy: 'Developing Sustainable Relationships: Community & Cultural Immersion Programme: for Early Career Researchers, for NHS Staff and Leaders, for emerging healthcare practitioners.' 

- Speaker from the University of Worcester: ‘Rural mental health research’

HWHCT assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in materials circulated and/or content presented by speakers during this conference.

2024

2024 Research & Development Conference, 14-18.10.24

We had a fantastic week hosting our 4th annual Research and Development conference which was facilitated by Sam Topping (Operational Lead for Research and Development, here at HWHCT).

As in previous years the aim of this conference was to showcase some of the fantastic work that's happening in the research world (Monday 14 — Wednesday 16 October) as well as giving staff and local partners from Herefordshire and Worcestershire a platform to showcase their work (Thursday 17 October), and the Launch of the Memorandum of Understanding between our Trust and University of Worcester (Friday 18 October).

HUGE thanks to our brilliant speakers who gave their time to join and inspire us. We couldn't have done it without you. Over 440 free virtual tickets were requested across the week so thank you to those who joined us. Recordings of the event will be uploaded in November so if you couldn't make it please take a listen. 

Sam Topping (Operational Lead for Research and Development)

 

Recordings of the conference are now available below along with presentation slides that we're able to share.

Monday 14 Oct: Strengthening & Conditioning and MSK Focus inc session on behavioural change (10.30am — 1.15pm)

Prof Peter Langdon: Conference welcome and opener

Recording available here:  https://youtu.be/o2XfJ2Yw1iQ

Peter is Peter is Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Birmingham and Honorary Associate Director of Research at HWHCT. 

Dr Claire Minshull: 'The Relative Importance of Restoring Qualities of Strength and Power For Older Populations.'

Recording available here: https://youtu.be/eDDt6YxifVM

Outstanding question and answer from the event: 

Q: Does she have any recommended functional tests for UL. To match STS of vertical jump for LL? 

A: Depends on what you're specifically trying to measure. A constrained (seated) projectile throw (single arm / 2 arms) with med ball of approx 10% of body mass might be appropriate? Lots of descriptions of this test. This link might be useful.

Dr Claire has over 25 years of experience working in academia, the NHS and in leading research roles.  She has designed, led and managed major clinical and non-clinical research trials, supervised PhD students and developed undergraduate and postgraduate courses in exercise and rehabilitation science. Claire has a well-established publication profile in the field of rehabilitation and is Visiting Professor at Leeds Beckett University School of Health. 
 
Claire’s area of expertise means that she uniquely spans the gap between the physiology of conditioning and physiotherapeutic rehabilitation and she founded Get Back To Sport to enable the transference of research findings into enhancing practice.  Get Back To Sport has an international teaching profile and a respect and credibility with clinicians and commissioners. Claire also co-founded Joint Approach as a means to deliver, direct to patient, a scalable and much improved multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for those suffering with osteoarthritic knee pain.  

Prof Danielle van der Windt: 'Development and evaluation of a person-centred intervention for patients with shoulder pain: the PANDA-S programme.'

Slides from this presentation are available here:  PANDA-S October 2024 (DvdW).pptx [pptx] 11MB

Recording available here: https://youtu.be/EysWRdpLM-A

Danielle is professor of Primary Care Epidemiology, former Research Director of the School of Medicine and former Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion lead for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Keele University. She has over 30 years of experience conducting primary care research with a strong focus on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and prognosis of musculoskeletal conditions and other common health conditions (e.g. mental health or cardiovascular disease). She has investigated predictors of long-term outcome and response to treatment, and led or contributed to trials evaluating interventions for common conditions in primary care. She contributed to the development of the PROGRESS framework for prognosis research, with the aim to support the generation of high quality (individualised) information regarding the likely future course of a health condition, to support patients and clinicians manage health problems and make informed, optimal treatment decisions. She leads the PANDA-S programme (2018-2026), funded by NIHR and Versus Arthritis, which aims to improve primary care for people presenting with shoulder pain.

 

Serena Simmons: 'How patient psychology and behaviour change can transform your practice.'

Recording available here: https://youtu.be/IqxqRXLqX88

Serena has over 30 years of experience working in the field of psychology, is a Chartered Psychologist and Member of the British Psychological Society and the Special Group in Coaching Psychology. She has also been a Senior Psychology lecturer at Nottingham Trent University (UK), for the last 18 years and has engaged in private practice in psychological consultancy and private teaching for over 12 years. She now runs her own successful Positive Psychology Consultancy, The Psychology School (www.thepsychologyschool.co), which specialises in Behaviour Change & Peak Performance which she teaches predominantly in Healthcare settings all over the world.  

Serena is also well known for her work in the area of Forensic Psychology, namely Serial Murder.  Having worked previously for HM Prison Service and Rampton Hospital in a practice position, Serena brings with her a deep understanding of what it takes to truly address Behavioural Change and Peak Performance in all aspects of Life. Featured heavily in the media for her work and in particular profiling, you can also find Serena’s work in the likes of all major newspapers, radio and more recently in specialist documentaries screened on Apple TV, Amazon, SKY, Virgin and UK based terrestrial channels.

 

Tuesday 15 Oct: Psychiatry - Psychosis focus (10.30am — 1.15pm)

Recording for the whole of this session is available here: https://youtu.be/oxW93hhuaMI

Prof Matthew Broome: ‘From Delusions to Early Intervention, Bullying, and Youth Mental Health’ 

Slides from the presentation are available here:  Broome_Oct_24_Hereford.pdf [pdf] 7MB

Matthew studied as an undergraduate at the University of Birmingham, where he graduated with degrees in Neuropharmacology and in Medicine.  After working as a junior doctor in the University Hospitals in Birmingham, he moved to the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to undertake training in postgraduate psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital, Bethlem Royal Hospital, and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.  After attaining his MRCPsych, Matthew was clinical research fellow and subsequently Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, where he undertook his first PhD. During this time, he helped the development of novel Early Intervention in Psychosis services in South London, and specifically the OASIS service for those who may be in the prodromal phase of illness.

In 2006, Matthew was appointed as Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Warwick and, in 2013, Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford.  He remains affiliated to St Hilda’s College and is a Distinguished Research Fellow in the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford.  In 2017, he returned to the University of Birmingham to take up his current post. In parallel to his University role, Matthew is Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist to the East Birmingham Early Intervention in Psychosis service, part of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, and is NIHR CRN West Midlands Clinical Research Lead.

Prof Joanna Moncrieff: 'The RADAR trial: results and reflection'

Slides from the presentation are available here:  Tuesday 15 October Joanna Moncrieff.pptx [pptx] 13MB

Joanna is a psychiatrist and academic. She is Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London and a leading figure in the Critical Psychiatry Network. She is CI on the RADAR study which her talk will cover.

Dr Jodie Russell: 'Communicating Ineffable Experiences: a way forward with phenomenology'

Slides from the presentation are available here:  The Language of Mental Disorder Jodie Russell.pptx [pptx] 3MB

Dr Jodie Louise Russell is a research fellow in the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham in the Epistemic Injustice in Healthcare (EPIC) project. She researches cases of epistemic injustice among young people with psychosis and is interested in applying intersectional, feminist approaches and phenomenology to better understand experiences of mental disorder. Previously, she was a Teaching Fellow and PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh and worked on applying topics in philosophy of mind to philosophy of psychiatry by, namely, drawing out implications from models of mind for our understanding of mental disorder.

 

Wednesday 16 Oct: Dementia focus (10.30am — 1.15pm)

Recording for the whole session is available here: https://youtu.be/zlU38f_pHCk

Dr Emma Wolverson: 'Inpatient Mental Health Wards for People with Dementia- can we create an evidence base?'

Slides from the presentation are available here:  Mental Health Wards for People with Dementia- EW Oct 24.pptx [pptx] 3MB

Emma is Clinical Psychologist & Professor in Ageing and Dementia at the University of West London. Emma is Research Lead for Dementia UK and has worked with people with dementia and their families within the NHS since first qualifying as a psychologist in 2008.

Jessica Roebuck , Stakeholder Engagement Manager, RDN Coordinating Centre (RDNCC), NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN).

Slides from the presentation are available here:  Join Dementia Research Jessica M (3).pptx [pptx] 4MB

Adam Smith: 'Bridging Generations: Inviting Older Adults with Dementia to Research.' Sadly Adam was unable to join us. Thank you to Jessica for stepping in at the last minute. Adam is Programme Director for ‘Dementia Researcher’ a worldwide early career dementia researcher support service run by University College London. Having previously worked within the NHS and at the Department of Health and Social Care, for the last 13 years he has exclusively worked on improving the lives of people living with dementia, undertaking research, and leading initiatives such as Join Dementia Research and Enabling Research in Care Homes. Now his time is focussed on trying to attract more people to the research field, and improving collaborations and support to ensure researchers are retained on this important topic.

Prof Vanessa Raymont: 'How biomarkers are changing dementia research and treatment'

Slides from the presentation are available here:  HWHCT R&D conference talk_161024.Prof Vanessa Raymont pptx.pptx [pptx] 31MB

Vanessa is: an Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford; R&D Director, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust; Associate Director, Dementias Platform UK; Joint Deputy Chair, NIHR Dementia Translational Research Collaboration; NIHR Clinical Research Network Dementia Lead, Thames Valley and South Midlands; Honorary Senior Clinical Research Fellow, Centre for Dementia Prevention, University of Edinburgh.

 

Thursday 17 Oct: What’s happening in Herefordshire and Worcestershire? (10.30am — 1pm)

Dr Natasha Lord: 'Implementing a Digital Life Stories Project on an inpatient dementia ward: Initial findings and reflections'

Slides from the presentation are available here:  Worcester life stories presentation October 2024 final.pptx [pptx] 3MB

Recording available here: https://youtu.be/pWNDmPYuR3A

Natasha is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Older Adults at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Chair of the Faculty of Psychology of Older People (FPOP); Chair of the Accreditation Committee – Quality Network Older Adult Mental Health Inpatient Services. 

 

Saff Davies: 'Exploring links between hearing loss and Dementia in adults with Down Syndrome'

View the recording here: https://youtu.be/5tuDM9pj4Ec

Community Learning Disability Nurse, South Worcestershire Community Learning Disability Team, HWHCT

Community Research Engagement Projects: 

  • REACH* Worcestershire: 'Using community co-production to develop a framework for research engagement.' 

Slides from the presentation are available here:  Branwen and Sarah Presentation.pptx [pptx] 4MB

Recording available here: https://youtu.be/y4NhLBtvrI0

  • CLeaR* Herefordshire: 'What we heard from communities in Herefordshire about Research.'

Slides from the presentation are available here:  131024 CLeaR Project Herefordshire Presentation.pptx [pptx] 7MB

Recording available here: https://youtu.be/wnprltilJXw

*REACH: Research Engagement and Community Health           *CLeaR: Community Led Engagement and Research

Worcestershire speakers:                                                                                                      Branwen Bingle, PhD, is the Community Research Training Lead for Worcestershire VCSE Alliance. A qualified teacher with a PhD, an MA Ed in Applied Linguistics and a PG Diploma in Voluntary Sector Management, Branwen has over 20 years’ experience of partnership development, social science research and course design in a range of settings. Branwen is also a Communities Officer for Wychavon District Council, where she supports VCSE organisations and the development of community assets.

Sarah Wilkinson is the Community Research Engagement Lead for Worcestershire VCSE Alliance. She has a MSc in European Policy having spent several years working in international institutions before returning in the UK. Sarah also has a background in secondary teaching and experience working with disadvantaged communities and people with a learning disability.

 

Friday 18 Oct: Launch of the Memorandum of Understanding between our Trust and University of Worcester (10.30am — 1pm)

View the recording here: https://youtu.be/KHZtdoYufdw 

Hear from speakers from the University of Worcester and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust discussing what this agreement means to them and the type of work and opportunities that we can expect to see moving forwards.

We will then hear from:

Dr Kath Gordon-Smith: 'The Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN) sample and True Colours online mood monitoring.'

Outstanding question and answer from the event: 

Q: Pregnancy. Study how easy to get into treatment mother and baby units near home etc'

A: We haven’t looked at this as part of our research which has a focus on the aetiology of mood disorders, but the charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis have been campaigning for a number of years for more Mother and Baby units and have carried out research comparing the different types of care for postpartum psychosis in the UK  Campaign for Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) | Action on Postpartum Psychosis ; Research updates and publications | Action on Postpartum Psychosis

Katherine joined the University of Worcester in October 2015 previously working as Postdoctoral Researcher within the Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences at Cardiff University and then as a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham.

The broad aims of her research are to investigate genetic and other factors that may contribute to the aetiology of bipolar disorder and other related mood and psychotic illnesses, such as schizoaffective disorder and postpartum psychosis.

She was one of the co-founders of the Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN), a group of researchers, clinicians and research participants in the UK involved in investigating the underlying causes of bipolar disorder. More than 7500 participants have been recruited to BDRN, which is one the largest sample of individuals with bipolar disorder in the world. Katherine works closely with BDRN research champions, research participants with lived experience of bipolar disorder, who have provided expert advice and input into the BDRN research programme and True Colours.

Katherine is also Deputy Chair of the Health and Science Research Ethics Panel.

Dr Catharine Rose: ‘You weren’t who I expected to meet’: Researchers within Communities.'

Dr Catharine Rose is a Research Fellow who joined the University of Worcester in 2023. She is currently working with a team, led by Prof. Eleanor Bradley, engaged in the evaluation of a series of innovative health-related programmes run by local stakeholders. These include two preventative health outreach services commissioned by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board targeting underserved local communities. She is also working on an evaluation of a programme developed by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust to empower clinical teams to initiate change.

  Catharine is a BPS Chartered Psychologist and was awarded her PhD in health psychology research from the University of Birmingham in 2022. Her research interests are focused on community health and development. Prior to joining the University of Worcester, Catharine ran a research and evaluation consultancy for over a decade, providing services to local and national clients in the public and VCSE sectors.  

Thomas  Morton: 'Crossing the Line: Providing personal care in the context of families affected by dementia.'

Outstanding question and answer from the event:
Q: Regarding the food in community groups study, is a mixed group of people with other diagnoses (i.e. not just with dementia) together a good thing?

A: It's a tricky one - there are both types of group, groups dedicated specifically to dementia and groups that are mixed e.g. for older people at risk of social isolation, that are likely to include people with dementia but aren't exclusively for them. 

We are interested in looking at both - anything that supports people living with dementia - and the role of food in these groups. We know that food can act as a 'hook' to encourage people in general to engage with such groups, and that food can make attending groups more 'normal' and de-stigmatised, as well as more relaxed, social, and enjoyable. We also know if you don't get the food offer right it can put people off coming along, or instantly make a group feel like it's 'not for them', so it could be an important factor in encouraging people to access support groups of all sorts. 
Also, of course, even if the group is superficially for people with dementia, they, and those caring for them, are very likely to also have other conditions, and these may impact upon what food is appropriate to offer (e.g. diabetes); and also people with dementia are likely to experience symptoms that impact on their appetite and eating, which makes things again more difficult to get right - so the food offer needs to be appropriate, as does how meal times are handled and supported. 
All of this is stuff we are exploring in the Food Glorious Food project!

Thomas joined the Association for Dementia studies (ADS) in December 2018. He is a Research Associate, working on projects that investigate how community-based interventions for people affected by dementia, such as groups and activities, can be helped to sustain long-term. He specialises in realist research, an approach that seeks to trace cause and effect in complex human systems, using both qualitative and quantitative data.

Thomas has a background in teaching and journalism, having worked as both an A level teacher and a newspaper journalist prior to returning to the field of psychology and developing a passion for research. He has previously worked on research into the experiences and uses of online mood monitoring of those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, with the University of Worcester's Mood Disorders Research Group. He has also conducted original research into perceptions of the role of control in workplace stress as part of his Psychology MSc. 

There was an opportunity to ask questions along with a round table discussion.

 

Conference poster

HWHCT assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in materials circulated and/or content presented by speakers during this conference.

 

 

2023

2023 EBP Conference — 16-20 October 2023

National conference hosted by us: 2023 Evidence Based Practise (EBP) conference - Leaders in their field and inspirational research careers. 

We had a fantastic week hosting our 3rd FREE virtual EBP conference which this year went national! HUGE thanks to the fantastic host of speakers who engaged and inspired delegates and to everyone who attended. Over 650 tickets were allocated across the week and delegate feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Please see the agenda below INCLUDING links to recordings and (where possible) presentation slides:

Day 1 - 16.10.23: Social & Community Psychiatry; Peri-natal mental health; Addiction; Psychosis and cognitive neuroscience

Day 2 - 17.10.23: Psychosis; Cognitive screening and rehabilitation; Dementia

Day 3 - 18.10.23: Inspirational research career journeys 

Day 4: 19.10.23: Dietetics; Rehabilitation & Conditioning; Community based research; the RIVA study

Day 5: 20.10.23: EBP - what's happening here at HWHCT

 

Attendence Certificates: 

As mentioned at the conference certificates of attendance are available upon request for CPD files. In order to receive a certificate the conference feedback form needs to be completed including Q7 which relates specifically to attendance certificates and how to receive yours.

N.B – please note that we can ONLY send conference attendance certificates if email addresses are given at the appropriate question on this feedback form. We are unable to automatically email certificates using the email address held on Eventbrite for this event. We have received certificate requests without an email address so are unable to provide certificates. Please contact me directly if this applies to you: mailto:alice.madden1@nhs.net

2022

EBP* Virtual Conference: 10 - 13 October 2022

Huge huge HUGE thanks to all our fantastic speakers and everyone who attended the EBP conference. We hope everyone found the sessions informative and useful.

The agenda was as per below. Recordings of each session were made and are now available. Please find the links below.

Monday 10.10.22:

Session 1: What is Research? 12noon – 1pm

12noon – 12.05pm: Welcome and housekeeping

12.05pm – 12.20pm: What is research and why does it matter? - Stuart Banham (Chief Pharmacist): https://youtu.be/Ng0gR_zqXDc

12.20pm – 12.45pm: What’s the difference between service evaluation, clinical audit and research? What’s in it for me and my patients including underserved communities – Sam Topping (Research & Development Manager): https://youtu.be/2vLTFv1diKA

12.45pm – 12.55pm: Where does research take place? Inc research outreach work done so far – Alice Madden (Research Project Support Officer): https://youtu.be/LC1fIgIjJko

12.55pm – 1pm: Final questions and close

Session 2: Who does Research? 1.30pm – 2.45pm

1.30pm – 1.35pm: Welcome and housekeeping

1.35pm – 2pm: Who’s who and who does what in the research world. Launching the research collaborator role. What is a PI (Principal Investigator)? - Sam Topping (Research & Development Manager): https://youtu.be/-fq28PJtamU

2pm – 2.15pm: My experience of being a PI for the 1st time working on BEAMS-ID – Katherine Byron-Daniels (Clinical Psychologist): https://youtu.be/Lv3EmRBIJaI

2.15pm – 2.30pm: My experience of being a PI - currently on ADEPP – Barny Major (Consultant Psychiatrist, Associate Medical Director, Herefordshire Mental Health and LD services): https://youtu.be/AtySTf0tFQg

2.30pm – 2.40pm: My experience of being a PI for the 1st time working on EDGI – Matt Rae (Clinical Lead North & West Herefordshire Neighbourhood Mental Health Service): https://youtu.be/3Jyw1oLboIE

2.40pm – 2.45pm: Final questions and close

Tuesday 11.10.22:

Session 3: EBP showcase within HWHCT: 12noon – 1.15pm

12noon – 12.05pm: Welcome and housekeeping

12.05pm – 12.25pm: Gaining a global perspective on Occupational Therapy Research – Alice Turnbull (Service Lead for Paediatric Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy): https://youtu.be/Ov3UmpdhBbg

12.25pm – 12.45pm: Dietetic Research Opportunities – Marti van der Linde (Community Paediatric Dietitian Worcestershire North): https://youtu.be/Hvsvw_iIrBs

12.45pm – 1.05pm - Measuring the Impact of the Kids on the Move Virtual Intervention Programme for Children and Families within the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service – Louise Boother (Specialist Occupational Therapist in Additional Services, Innovation and SEND): https://youtu.be/I7fTYhkTw4A

1.05pm – 1.15pm: Final questions and close

Wednesday 12.10.22:

Session 4: Developing my own Research: 12noon – 1.15pm

12noon – 12.05pm: Welcome and housekeeping

12.05pm – 12.25pm: How to get started; developing an idea; Associate Principle Investigator (PI) role – Sam Topping (Research & Development Manager): https://youtu.be/lwf-QUSTgEQ

12.25pm – 12.40pm: Associate PI for the ADEPP Study – Kieran Groom (CT3 Doctor in CAMHS): https://youtu.be/esy3w0Yx83c

12.40pm – 1.10pm: My research story so far… - Peter Langdon (Honorary Associate Director of Research; Consultant Clinical Psychologist and CI (Chief Investigator) leading national studies focused upon improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and/or autism): https://youtu.be/Tnf3FEkmudk

1.10pm – 1.15pm: Final questions and close

Thursday 13.10.22:

Session 5: Putting Research findings into Practise: 12noon – 1.15pm

12noon – 12.05pm: Welcome and housekeeping

12.05pm – 12.30pm: Measuring the impact of the change from face-to-face to virtual appointments evaluation – Sam Topping (Research & Development Manager): https://youtu.be/H76KjPB2Tkk

12.30pm – 1pm: Experience of the RADAR study - Barny Major (Consultant Psychiatrist, Associate Medical Director, Herefordshire Mental Health and LD services): https://youtu.be/w3WBqy3ovso

1pm – 1.15pm: Final questions and close

 

*EBP = Evidence Based Practise

2021

Evidence Based Practice (EBP) Conference: 16-18 November 2021

Our inaugural research/EBP virtual conference was a huge success! We had 41 people attend at least 1 of the sessions and the feedback so far has been great. Huge HUGE thanks to everyone that attended and to our wonderful presenters without whom this event wouldn’t have taken place:

  • Simon Meadows (Clinical Lead Physiotherapist)
  • Simone van Dalen (Physiotherapy Team Leader)
  • Clare McFadyen (OT at New Haven)
  • Rosie Callaghan (Tissue Viability Lead Nurse)
  • Martha van der Linde (Community Paediatric Dietitian)
  • Chrissy Walker (OT Neighbourhood Team 1)
  • Alice Turnbull (Service Lead for Paediatric OT and Physiotherapy)
  • Emma Jesic (Specialist Paediatric OT & OT Lead for Neurodevelopment)
  • Nicola Bundy (CAMHS Practitioner)
  • Abigail Matthews (OT in Hereford Neighbourhood Mental Health Service)
  • Dr Kerry Gaskin (Head of Department - Midwifery and CPD; Principal Lecturer in Advanced Clinical Practice,from the University of Worcester)
  • Cliff Lewis (Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner)

Your insightful presentations gave us all food for thought and really demonstrated how staff from all across HWHCT are constantly striving to improve patient care. Thank you.