INVOLVE (known as INVOLVE) is a national advisory Group, funded by the Department of Health, that promotes public involvement in health

Health

Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...

 and social care research. Established in 1996, it was originally called "Consumers in NHS Research". It expanded to cover public health

Public health

Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...

 and social care research in 2001, and changed its name to INVOLVE in July 2003. The current Chair of INVOLVE is Nick Partridge

Nick Partridge

Sir Nicholas Wyndham Partridge, OBE, is a leading British health care and HIV/AIDS care activist.-Activism:He has worked for the Terrence Higgins Trust in the UK since 1985 when he started in the postroom, subsequently working his way to become Chief Executive in 1991...

, Chief Executive of The Terrence Higgins Trust

Terrence Higgins Trust

Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and HIV. In particular, the charity aims to reduce the spread of HIV and promote good sexual health ; to provide services on a national and local level to people with, affected by, or at risk of...

.

Organisation

INVOLVE has three working groups and one main group. The working groups are called 'Empowerment', 'Evidence, Knowledge and Learning' and 'Strategic Alliances'

The main Group reports directly to the Department of Health and deals with issues around public involvement in research and development. It also makes recommendations to the Department of Health on how to improve and strengthen public involvement in research.

The working groups each have their own area of responsibility:

• Strategic Alliances is responsible for developing and promoting alliances with key groups including the public and researchers to promote public involvement in research.
• Empowerment is responsible for ensuring that people who are affected by NHS, Public Health and Social Care research have the opportunity, and are able to have an active role in all areas of research.
• Evidence, Knowledge and Learning is responsible for developing, gathering, disseminating and promoting the existing information and knowledge around public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research.