For immediate release

Trials of the Mind: Understanding Health Research

The Clinical Research Network: Greater Manchester is collaborating with Ziggys Wish to explore
the challenges for people with mental health problems and/or dementia who might be interested in
taking part in health research but don't know how to.
The day-long health and arts cross-media collaboration Trials of the Mind: Understanding Health
Research will seek to overcome the barriers to more patients and the public getting involved in
helping to set up and take part in health research studies.
There are 100 places for anyone interested in mental health problems, dementia and/or clinical
research. All welcome. Free entry with ticket. Book online at www.trialsofthemind.eventbrite.co.uk
or call 0161 701 5602.
The Clinical Research Network: Greater Manchester has teamed up with creative engagement
and involvement specialists, Ziggys Wish, to help run the patient and public involvement day,
which takes place in the Kanaris Lecture Theatre at The Manchester Museum, 10.00am 4.00pm
on Thursday 26 March 2015.
The Clinical Research Network: Greater Manchester delivers research to make patients, and the
NHS, better and strives to actively involve patients and the public in the development of health
research so that more people take part.
Ziggy's Wish uses the empathic and entertainment nature of narrative constructs in order to make
research messages more accessible. The company puts together bespoke creative teams for
research projects, drawn from a range of mediums (narrative, visual arts, technology, gaming, film,
theatre, and more), then works collaboratively with the researchers to build effective engagement
and involvement experiences.
Prof Kathryn Abel, Professor of Psychological Medicine at The University of Manchester; Honorary
Consultant Psychiatrist at the Manchester Mental Health & Social Care Trust; and Divisional Lead
at the Clinical Research Network: Greater Manchester, said:
Were delighted to be collaborating with Ziggys Wish to run an action packed patient and public
involvement day. This event will help us understand better some of the barriers to getting the
public more actively involved in research. As researchers and health workers, our ultimate aim is
to make health studies accessible to as many people using health services as possible. We want
them to have an opportunity to access studies and participate in them too. It is vitally important
that we improve public awareness about the huge benefits of health research and that we improve
access to studies which have genuine service-user-focus.
Ravi Thornton, Ziggys Wish managing director and award-winning cross-media writer, said:
For Trials of the Mind we are designing a series of performances from which we will create a short
film titled Sashas Trial. The narrative revolves around 16-year old Sasha, who is experiencing
mental health difficulties, and her Grandad, who suffers from dementia. Together they explore the
challenges of their medical conditions and the subject of clinical studies. As Grandads health
deteriorates, however, and Sasha struggles to make sense of this, her confusions threaten to
overwhelm her. Its a compelling moment for us to ask, what hopes can her future hold?

Working with award-winning director Trevor MacFarlane, award-winning filmmaker John Grey, and
upcoming writer Jack Hart, from Ziggys Wish partners Shred Productions, Greymatter Films UK
and The Writing Squad respectively, Thornton is confident the Clinical Research Network: Greater
Manchester event will be both powerful and thought provoking.
Ends
For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact Joe Mulvihill on 0161 701 5079,
07881 312961 or joe.mulvihill@cmft.nhs.uk.
Notes to Editors
Clinical Research Network: Greater Manchester
The Clinical Research Network is part of the National Institute for Health Research.
We provide researchers with the practical support they need to make clinical studies happen in the
NHS, so that more research takes place across England, and more patients can take part. This
practical support includes:
Reducing the red-tape around setting up a study
Enhancing NHS resources, by funding the people and facilities needed to carry out research
on the ground
Helping researchers to identify suitable NHS sites, and recruit patients to take part in
research studies
Advising researchers on how to make their study work in the NHS environment
More information: www.crn.nihr.ac.uk/gmanchester
Ziggys Wish
Ziggys Wish are specialists in empathic and entertaining public engagement and involvement
solutions.
We work collaboratively with a wide variety of partners, and are driven by the desire to make a
difference with the skills that we have.
More information: www.ziggyswish.com
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Clinical Research Network: Greater Manchester
Ziggys Wish
Shred Productions
Greymatter Films UK
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Trials of the Mind: Understanding Health Research