UHCW Research and Development > Patients and Public > PPI Groups > Join a PPI Group > Multiple Sclerosis Research Advisory Group

Established in 2025, our Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Research Advisory Group is made up of people living with MS.

The group aims to ensure that the voices of people living with MS are at the heart of MS research. Members use their personal experiences to shape research from an early stage and throughout the project.

Activities include providing their insights on research ideas and plans, reviewing patient-facing materials, being co-applicants on grant applications and being part of project management committees.

For more information please email ms.ppi@uhcw.nhs.uk

If you would like to become a PPI member, please click here to join our group.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will be asked of me?

You will be asked to use your own experience and knowledge as a person living with MS, to give your honest opinion on research.

As a member of the MS Research Advisory Group you can take part in a variety of activities at different points in the research process.

Do I have to have taken part in research to be part of the MS Research Advisory Group?

No, you or people you know do not have to have been involved in research to be a member of the group.

The group is open to people living with MS who have an interest in research or improvements in healthcare.

What activities will I be asked to do?

You may be asked to:

Attend a meeting to give your opinion on research;
Work with researchers to develop study proposals;
Review study documents aimed at patients to ensure that they are appropriate; These documents might include a Patient Information Sheet, Consent Form or Lay Summary of the project.

Do I have to get involved in everything?

Your contribution is completely voluntary and may depend on your interest and time you have available.

It’s up to you what you get involved in.

How often/long are the meetings?

Our Meetings are held on an adhoc basis and will be one to two hours long.

Duration of each meetings will be confirmed via email.

Where will the meetings be held?

Our meetings are held online, face-to-face or a mixture of both.

All members will be told the meeting location when the invitation is sent.

Will any personal information about me be shared outside of the MS Research Advisory Group?

No. All your personal information will be held by the Research & Development (R&D) PPI Team and any information shared during meetings will remain confidential.

Should the researcher wish to contact you directly for further involvement in a research project, you will be asked if your contact details can be shared.

What type of research could I get involved with?

All research supported by this group will be for Multiple Sclerosis.

We also have other Patient and Public Groups which covers a variety of medical specialities and conditions, including critical care, emergency medicine, women and children, cancer and conditions affecting the heart, brain, kidneys and digestive system, amongst others. For more information on these groups, please click here or email Research.PPI@uhcw.nhs.uk

Is there any payment for taking part?

You may be offered reimbursement of expenses, for example travel costs. You may also be offered payment for taking part.

You will be informed before you agree to get involved in each meeting or activity whether there will be any payment.