1. Patient Centred Research in MCCN Lynda Appleton, Lesley Dewar, Maria Flynn, Bob Jones, Terry Kavanagh, Paul Large,

2. Doing the Groundwork 12 months ago – no ideas, no team, no project plan, no network, no money........ But aspirational vision! Consultation, Collaboration, User -led research? MCCN PCP involvement strategy offered real potential for innovative approach to work with patient, carers and public Potential to develop and explore a genuine working research partnership with patient, carers and public

3. Sowing the Seed Patient council meetings at CCO MCCN conference at Ness Gardens Development of ideas which patients and service users thought were important areas for research Circulation of emerging ideas through networks Group and individual meetings with interested people Iterative process to refine idea Emergence of the research team

4. Nurturing the Idea Importance of social language on people affected by cancer and their families How they see themselves in the period after treatment Uncertainty Re-adjustment to everyday life What about the teams experience of working together on a research project?

5. Potting on Team meetings and discussions Assessing feasibility of carrying out project Refinement of ideas Draft of project outline Representation at NCRI annual conference Submission of outline application to Macmillan User Led Research Grant Competition SHORTLISTED TO SUBMIT FULL APPLCIATION!

6. Hardening Off Full project proposal written 18 Month Project to explore how language and metaphor influences adjustment and well being in the period following cancer treatment To describe the experience of working together on the research project Identification of ‘Lead’ responsibilities in project for all team members Submitted to Macmillan by deadline of 16 th February

7. Awaiting the Harvest Application for £60,000 research grant Plan to appoint full time Research Associate Recruiting study participants from across the network Semi-structured interviews Team to keep ‘reflective diaries’ Wide dissemination of lay summary of study findings through MCCN partnership groups, CNGs and support networks Results of competition expected early April 2009!!!