29 May RELAX team report shares reflections and tips on public involvement
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18 December 2025
RELAX team report shares reflections and tips on public involvement
A new report co-produced by researchers and public involvement members on the RELAX (Reducing Levels of AnXiety in pregnancy and after birth) research project has brought together learning and reflections for successful inclusive public involvement.
The NIHR-funded RELAX study tested an easy-to-use online training for pregnant women and birthing people with mild to moderate anxiety, designed to help reduce their worry and anxiety. The study aimed to test whether adding RELAX to usual maternity care can prevent anxiety increasing during pregnancy and after birth.
As the study comes to an end, the study team came together to share their reflections on public involvement — which they hope will help other groups and individuals interested in doing patient and public involvement in research, including researchers, health service users, patients and communities.
“At its best, PPI in research can improve the quality of research studies. When practiced as a democratic process it can give groups of people a voice about their healthcare options, build confidence and skills among those involved in co-design, and increase trust in research with communities. We hope our reflections and tips will help research groups work together creatively and to full potential.”
Patient and public involvement lead, RELAX study
Over the course of the RELAX study, the team had a multi-ethnic group of 20+ public involvement advisers, many with lived experience of perinatal anxiety, as well as representatives of large organisations and smaller grassroots community organisations. A core group of 15 public involvement advisers continued to work with researchers until the end of the project.
“Our public adviser group was multi-ethnic, with many women bringing direct lived experience of perinatal anxiety. This mix created a richer understanding of how culture, identity and personal history can influence the way anxiety is felt, interpreted and described. It also helped us design language and study materials that were culturally appropriate and sensitive to different forms of expression. Advisers challenged assumptions, flagged unseen barriers and helped the team check that everything felt respectful and accessible for a wide range of women.”
Public involvement adviser, RELAX study
Seven tips for inclusive public involvement in research
Some of the key tips and learning from the report include:
Plan for inclusivity from the start
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are three important values to guide who you involve and how you work together. Share what all team members know and think about training needs. ‘Trauma-informed’ working may be important too, depending on your study.
Work your community connections
Researchers need community connections and links with relevant voluntary sector organisations. It takes time to build trusting relationships; finding community leaders or well-connected individuals is an important step.
Values matter
At an early planning meeting, it may help to create a list of values that you want to adopt explicitly. See the MUMS@RISC Charter for Research Engagement as an example of a values statement developed by an ARC-adopted research study.
Consider the evidence you need for reporting PPIE
If you aim to report the impact of PPIE in research, be sure to collect sufficient data in enough detail. The Public Involvement in Research Impact Toolkit (PIRIT) may be a helpful guide.
Build in review discussions and reflections
Reflect as you go along, audio-record (with permission) and write things down. This is valuable as public involvement is a complex process. It is impossible to think of everything or address every aspect of PPIE aims and methods in advance.
Everything will take much more time than you anticipate
Like every other aspect of research, doing public involvement well takes time, thought and effort. When planning, double and triple the time you think might be needed.
Relationships are important
The more opportunities there are for the whole team to interact, share something about themselves that is not related to the project and have a laugh (or extend empathic listening), the more easily the wheels will turn.
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Read the full report
Diversity, relationships and community leaders – Public involvement tips and reflections from the RELAX (Reducing Levels of Anxiety in pregnancy and after birth) research project
Report co-producers
PPIE lead & advisers
Mary Newburn (PPIE lead) • Abi Gay • Abigail Mensah • Siobhean McCarthy-Perham • Tanjida
King’s College London researchers
Brittannia Volkmer • Colette Hirsch • Nathalie Towner
Related content
- →
About the RELAX study — Reducing Levels of AnXiety in pregnancy and after birth - →
Patient and public involvement and engagement in maternity and perinatal mental health - →
Resources to support involvement in research - →
Maternity and perinatal mental health research at ARC South London
Original source: arc-sl.nihr.ac.uk — NIHR ARC South London legacy content archived May 2026.
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