Advisory Group

The Institute of Mental Health is committed to putting Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) at the heart of all its research.

People with a lived experience of mental health have engaged with the Institute in many ways:

  • As a guest to the Institute
  • As a student
  • As a public contributor
  • As a registered volunteer
  • As an employee

Patient and Public Involvement Advisory Group

We have established an Advisory Group to oversee public involvement within the Institute of Mental Health, and you can read more about the principles and aims of the group by reading their Reading their Constitution. 

The current Advisory Group members were recruited in April 2019. The term for membership was initially two years however with Coronavirus (Covid 19) interruptions this term has been extended.

If you would like to know more about the Advisory Group membership, or enquire about future terms, please contact the Institute Public Involvement Lead, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be included in Involvement at the Institute updates.

Read our latest blog about how our Public Advisory Group can help

 Current group members

James Towler

Hi I'm James I'm based in Beeston in Nottinghamshire, I have over 30 years lived experience with Depression and anxiety, which I have learnt to manage better with a combination of Medication and Meditation. After working in offices for many years, I managed a project called First Steps which helped and enabled people who were experiencing mental health Issues to Volunteer and access social opportunities.

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Esmée Chengapen

Esmée is British Mauritian and has recently moved to the UK after spending most of her life in Mauritius and Continental Europe. Due to tragic family circumstances, she became a carer from a young age and as a result, developed an interest in the welfare of young carers, complex childhood trauma, Parkinson’s disease, neurodiversity, and dementia.

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Gill Grimshaw

Gill is a service user and carer within a family that has a history of severe mental illness. She has worked as a health researcher for many years and cherishes the experience of the valuable contribution patients, families, friends and the public make to enrich research. Experts by lived experience are crucial to the success of research in improving lives.

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Debbie Butler

I have been involved in research and service evaluation for over 20 years. I currently sit on several groups where I use my experiences to influence and help direct research. I have a willingness to challenge perceived ideas and work with others to develop a supportive background network of policies and procedures to help and enable projects move forward.

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