Developing partnerships for research: training workshops for mental health service users, carers and workers

AIMS AND METHOD We aimed to introduce mental health service users, carers and workers to working as research partners with an academic unit, and provide training to facilitate participation. We achieved this by running workshops covering different stages of the research process. RESULTS Service users, carers and workers attended the workshops, although carers were under-represented. Feedback was generally positive, and some participants have since become involved as researchers with projects at the Academic Unit. DISCUSSION Detailed planning was crucial for deciding the course content, recruiting participants, responding to participant feedback and ensuring future research opportunities were available.