Public voices in research: celebrating public involvement during Volunteers’ Week
Volunteers’ Week is a national celebration of the millions of people across the UK who give their time to help others. It’s a time to say thank you - to recognise the energy, commitment and insight volunteers bring to causes that matter. Among these essential contributions is the growing community of Public Involvement Community members in Health and Care Research Wales - a vital but often unsung form of volunteering which anyone can register for.
What is public involvement in research?
In health and care research, public involvement means research carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public, rather than ‘to’, ‘about’, or ‘for’ them. This includes people with lived experience of health and or social care as patients, carers, or service users, who collaborate with researchers to make sure research studies ask the right questions, reach the right people and lead to meaningful improvements in care.
Why is this volunteering role so valuable?
Public Involvement Community members volunteer their time and views to ensure that research is relevant, inclusive and people centred. They might help design participant materials, such as questionnaires, or research question areas. They could also review funding proposals, sit on advisory panels, or help interpret findings. Their involvement makes research more ethical, impactful and accessible to the public.
This is a form of volunteering that doesn't always wear a high-vis vest or make headlines - but its impact is wide-reaching. It shapes the future of healthcare and helps ensure that real voices guide real change.
How and where does this happen?
Across Wales, Health and Care Research Wales supports and promotes public involvement in a wide range of research activities - from local projects to national programmes. Involvement can happen in research centres, NHS organisations, charities and universities - sharing their perspectives and shaping everything from mental health research to public health policy. All our current opportunities are on the Health and Care Research Wales website.
During Volunteers’ Week, it’s especially important to recognise public involvement as a meaningful form of volunteering - one that empowers individuals to use their experience for the public good. It’s also a time to invite more people to get involved.
Whether you have experience with a long-term health condition, have cared for someone with a health condition, or are simply passionate about improving health and care services, your thoughts can help researchers ask better questions and find better answers.
Get involved in Health and Care Research Wales
If you live in Wales and want to make a difference through research, register to get involved.
You'll find opportunities to share your experiences, shape research and be part of something bigger.
Access our current opportunities page here.
This Volunteers’ Week, we want to thank every public involvement volunteer for helping to make research more relevant, compassionate and inclusive - for everyone.