{"id":268,"date":"2024-04-16T12:54:15","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T11:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/?page_id=268"},"modified":"2026-10-05T13:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T12:08:10","slug":"about-creating-connections","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/about-creating-connections\/","title":{"rendered":"About Creating Connections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Creating Connections? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Creating Connections<\/strong>&nbsp;is a network of organisations, groups and individuals, who all share an interest in patient and public involvement and engagement in health and care research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">We collaborate on patient and public involvement initiatives, share knowledge and best practice, collectively develop models for more diverse and sustainable involvement, co-deliver and invest in training, offer peer support, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Our members are largely based in the North East and North Cumbria (England, UK). Read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/whos-who-meet-our-members\/\">our members.<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Interested in joining Creating Connections?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-7d812b4c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div style=\"--wp--block-button--width: 100;\" class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/join-creating-connections\/\" style=\"border-radius:28px\">Join creating connections<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Currently, our strategic priorities are to:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"850\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/2._Trusted_Community_Workers_GoodToMeetYou.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-295 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/2._Trusted_Community_Workers_GoodToMeetYou.png 975w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/2._Trusted_Community_Workers_GoodToMeetYou-300x262.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/2._Trusted_Community_Workers_GoodToMeetYou-768x670.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Create More Connections:<br><\/strong>Examine effective membership models, grow and diversify membership<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"874\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/6._Be_Generous_WeNeedYou-1024x874.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-300 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/6._Be_Generous_WeNeedYou-1024x874.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/6._Be_Generous_WeNeedYou-300x256.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/6._Be_Generous_WeNeedYou-768x656.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/6._Be_Generous_WeNeedYou.png 1178w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Create Impact<\/strong>:<br>Build PPIE evaluation and impact expertise, communicate the difference PPIE makes to research<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"886\" height=\"1016\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/1._Do_the_Groundwork_AskForAdviceEarly.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-302 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/1._Do_the_Groundwork_AskForAdviceEarly.png 886w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/1._Do_the_Groundwork_AskForAdviceEarly-262x300.png 262w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/1._Do_the_Groundwork_AskForAdviceEarly-768x881.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Create Capacity:<br><\/strong>Increase PPIE Leads\/experts through an effective PPIE training programme, build a sustainable PPIE Workforce<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"852\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/3._Respect_Vast_Knowledge_DontDip-1024x852.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-308 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/3._Respect_Vast_Knowledge_DontDip-1024x852.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/3._Respect_Vast_Knowledge_DontDip-300x249.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/3._Respect_Vast_Knowledge_DontDip-768x639.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/3._Respect_Vast_Knowledge_DontDip-1200x998.png 1200w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/3._Respect_Vast_Knowledge_DontDip.png 1223w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Create Innovation:<br><\/strong>Jointly develop novel PPIE approaches, explore future sustainable models to deliver PPIE in the region<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"925\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/Share-my-voice.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-307 size-full\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/Share-my-voice.png 925w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/Share-my-voice-300x195.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/Share-my-voice-768x498.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Create Equity and Inclusion:<br><\/strong>Invest in approaches to increase representation of diverse communities, coordinate EDI and PPIE work avoiding duplication, maximise diverse community involvement<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"813\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/4._Be_Honest_about_the_Scope_CoreValues-1024x813.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-312 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/4._Be_Honest_about_the_Scope_CoreValues-1024x813.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/4._Be_Honest_about_the_Scope_CoreValues-300x238.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/4._Be_Honest_about_the_Scope_CoreValues-768x610.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/files\/2024\/04\/4._Be_Honest_about_the_Scope_CoreValues.png 1105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Create Positive Change:<br><\/strong>Identify institutional barriers that limit or prevent effective PPIE and research, campaign for change to improve the research environment<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Illustrations by Bethan Laker, developed as part of NIHR Research Design Service Community Engagement Toolkit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Creating Connections? Creating Connections&nbsp;is a network of organisations, groups and individuals, who all share an interest in patient and public involvement and engagement in health and care research. We collaborate on patient and public involvement initiatives, share knowledge and best practice, collectively develop models for more diverse and sustainable involvement, co-deliver and invest [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10983,"featured_media":274,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-268","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10983"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/268\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1320,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/268\/revisions\/1320"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/creatingconnections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}