From patient to public contributor: Kanta’s story

At the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, we work with patient and public contributors across a range of health conditions. But who are they, and what is it like to get involved in research as a member of the public? To find out, read this piece authored by our public contributor Kanta Sandhu.

My passion and purpose is equity for all and encouraging people to use a platform to share from their lens of experience. I have been an active member of Keele University’s Research Users Group (RUG) for over 5 years, and this involvement has highlighted the importance of inclusive practices and patient/public involvement and engagement in research.  

My association with Keele University started as a result of a serious, lifelong health condition which led to an interest in health and care research. As a result, I have experience of a range of healthcare professions, understanding people, care, and assumptions that have impacted my life and my care, and I was eager to break down the ‘how’ and ‘why’. This has resulted in attending many discussion groups and even being a co-applicant on a few projects.  

When Keele became a partner organisation of the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) in 2022, I was delighted to help with the co-development of the PPIE Strategy with other public contributors who had been part of the previously funded BRC. I was able to combine both my experience of being involved in research, being a lay reviewer with a funder and a member of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) board, with the transferable skills I had from a career in planning and my lived experience. 

Over time, I have become more confident about speaking up to ensure that there is genuine involvement of the public in the research being discussed. When the opportunity to join the BRC’s central Public/Patient Advisory group (PPAG) came up, I applied. The PPAG is made up of people from other groups that work with the BRC and we really are a mixed group – in terms of lived experience, length of time being involved in research, age and ethnicity – which is why it is so interesting to have discussions at our meetings. I am also one of the two PPAG representatives on the BRC’s Research Inclusion, Equality and Diversity group.  

The BRC’s inclusive and accessible opportunities offer public involvement within many areas of health. My own experience of joining the EDI Strategy has enabled me to challenge communications and governance in decision making about communities that are often not seen or heard within research due to systemic barriers. 

The story of equity and equality continues to be part of my journey and that of many other in this community wanting the chance and ability to share our experiences and stories, to be heard and to be seen in all institutions and healthcare organisations – to experience inclusive co-production in research is the destination. 

Are you also interested in getting involved in research? Explore how you can join our community of public contributors.