CHAT
by working with colleagues from Queen's, Ulster
University, HSCB and current co-researchers, and have
developed an accredited training programme in basic
research methods."
After becoming a co-researcher for Praxis Care two years
ago, Katherine embarked on an academic challenge.
With support from Paul Webb, she joined a prestigious
list of people securing a post graduate Ulster University
certificate in Development and Co-Production in Social
Care Research, which will lead her towards a career
devising care programmes for other service users.
"The only type of work I have done since my mental health
illness is Peer or Co-Researcher…Having walked the walk
of having a mental illness and devised positive coping
strategies, I am able to maintain a productive lifestyle
again, empathise subjectively with the clients of Praxis
Care and understand their struggles…the clients open
up more about how they are feeling, the real nitty-gritty.
They feel on an equal level with the Peer Researcher."
The benefits of this work are immense. Katherine said,
"I have found that working as a Peer Researcher has
drastically improved my self-worth, confidence, and
esteem. It gives your ego a boost when your opinions
are listened to and acted upon. I do not feel stigmatised
as being different, a mental case. I am a human being
that deserves being treated with equality, respect and
knowing that my opinion counts."
Katherine has recommended that co-production is used
more at Praxis, and suggested recruitment panels and
staff training involve more people with lived experience.
She is well on her way to fulfilling her dream: "I want to
complete further studies in social care and my ambition
is to work for Praxis Care as a service user consultant
who can help design individual care programmes to
help staff better understand the needs of those they are
supporting."
CO-PRODUCTION COUNTS!
Praxis Care co-researcher
lives her dream
42
"I am a human being that
deserves being treated with
equality, respect and knowing
that my opinion counts."
Katherine Greer
Co-researcher
Praxis Care
Katherine Greer is involved with Praxis Care
on two levels: not only does she access mental
health support, but she is also employed as a
co-researcher, using her lived experiences to
help inform research projects. But how did
she get here?
In an interview with CEO Andy Mayhew, Katherine
talked about her initial referral to Praxis Care, and how
they supported her: "I was referred to Praxis Care for
support to reclaim my life back. Slowly with the medical
professionals and Praxis Care I have achieved that, and
more. Praxis gave me a vital one-to-one support without
taking away my independence."
One facet of Praxis support is a weekly group meeting,
which Katherine was attending regularly on Thursday
afternoons, and that led to her involvement in Research:
"One of the Support Workers was looking on the computer
for things we could get involved with in the community.
She came across the fact that Praxis was looking for
Peer Researchers to get involved with them for research,"
said Katherine. "I did not know what a Peer Researcher
was. I asked and the Support Worker informed me, 'That
is a person with lived experience in the subject being
studied.' I decided after much thought that I was in a
good place mentally and physically. I applied for the job
as Peer Researcher." After interviews with Paul Webb,
Praxis Care Head of Research, and Dr. Gavin Davidson,
Professor of Social Care and Praxis Chair of Social Care
at Queen's University Belfast, she was successful with
her application and began work as a Peer Researcher.
Praxis Care co-researchers develop skills and selfconfidence and get
a supportive form of employment.
Paul Webb said, "We are continuing to develop the
support, which we provide to people who use services,
Dr. Gavin Davidson, Praxis Chair of Social Care and
Professor of Social Care at Queen's University Belfast,
Paul Webb, Head of Research at Praxis Care,
Katherine Greer, Co-Researcher and Claire McCartan,
Research Fellow at Queen's University Belfast