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This short blog is by Violet Rook, who is a member of the NIHR ARC NENC’s Public Advisory Network. In it, she shares her experiences of completing an undergraduate certificate in Patient and Public Involvement at Northumbria University.

In July I shook hands with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (Chancellor of Northumbria University) in the sports hall of Northumbria University. It was a special occasion. All those in my class had the pleasure of listening to the speeches and seeing individuals being given honorary degrees and then it was our turn to get up on the stage and get congratulated.

In the previous 12 months we had completed a 20-credit module and a 40-credit module to obtain the undergraduate certificate in Patient and Public Involvement.

Every Wednesday I would go to Coach Lane and from 10am until 3pm attend lectures on the topic. There were about twenty in my class from various backgrounds and ages. We talked. commented and learnt. There was a great camaraderie from start to finish. Our Tutors Toby, Mick and Chris, together with a few guest tutors,  encouraged everyone to give their opinion and make comment.

In July, we walked through the corridor at the University where all the tutors had gathered to give special greetings to those who had graduated on the day, and it was a special feeling.

This would not have happened without the help of Felicity Shenton, NIHR ARC NENC PICE Manager, who had provided the information about sponsorship. She also was one of the guest lecturers during the year. I would like to share my thanks to Felicity for highlighting this opportunity.

Pictured below: Violet Rook with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.