Charity Patient and Carer Panel

The Panel will consist of up to twelve people who are recent or current patients or carers, parents or family-members of patients of Evelina London.

Evelina London Children’s Charity is working with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to involve patients, carers, and members of the public in their funding process. Your input can help us make fairer decisions about what projects the charity spends it’s money on.

Below you can find out more:

• About us
• The projects we fund

We are keen to hear from people who are/have been a patient of and/or caring for someone who has used Evelina London’s services.

Your views and experiences can help to advise those making decisions about where the charity’s money is spent, and make sure they consider people with different health conditions and backgrounds.

We know that people who are patients, carers, parents and family members of patients can bring a wide range of experiences and qualities from their personal or professional lives.

We want to hear from you if you:

• Are currently using or have used one or more of Evelina London’s services within the last two to three years (including hospital and community health services).

Or

• Are currently caring for or have cared for someone who has used one or more services of Evelina London within the last two to three years.

And you:

• Are aged 13 to 21 and a current or recent patient of Evelina London Services OR
• Are a parent or carer of a current or recent patient of Evelina London Services.
• Have an interest in improving people’s health care, health services or the charity sector.
• Feel able to use your own experiences of healthcare care to inform discussions.
• Can work well with other people in a group.
• Can appreciate and respect a diverse range of experiences and perspectives and respect people’s views, even when they may be different to your own.
• Are willing to take part in the training, development and support activities offered.

We want to involve a wide range of people, including, but not limited to, those who:

• Are from different age groups (aged 13 or older)
• Have learning, sensory, or mobility disabilities.
• Have one or more long-term conditions.
• Come from a range of ethnic backgrounds.
• Speak English as an additional language.
• Identify as LGBTQIA+.
• Are from a range of educational backgrounds. We do not require any qualifications for this role. We value the knowledge and skills drawn from personal and professional experience.

Charity Patient and Carer Panel members will be able to:

• Offer a patient, carer, parent or family member perspective to discussions and decision-making.
• Respect and consider the views of other people, even though they may be different to their own.
• Voice opinions in a way that is helpful and respectful.
• Work well with other people in a group.

We are also looking for people who are interested in representing and being a voice for the Panel to the Charity’s funding committee. If you are interested, we want to hear from you if you:

• Are able to express other people’s views, even if they differ from your own.
• Have experience as a member of a committee or group such as a student body/ neighbourhood committee, council, book club, etc.
• Have the ability to use notes and be prepared to present views to a committee.
• Are able to attend the charity committee meetings.

It is important that Panel members feel supported in their roles. The training courses below have been developed to support Panel members. These dates are subject to confirmation and are a proposed timeline.

1. One-to-one ‘get to know us’ session
September 2025, via phone or online ~ 30 mins

• Introduction to members of the team.
• Your role and the Charity.
• Expenses.
• Next steps.
• Opportunity to ask questions.

2. Group welcome session
Date to be confirmed but likely one of 24th, 25th or 27th June or 16th or 17th September, in person.

• Introduction to other members of the Panel.
• Introduction to members of the Trust and Charity team.
• Your role.
• How the Panel is going to work and its activities.
• Next steps.
• Timelines.
• Opportunity to ask questions.

3. Training session
Date to be confirmed but likely Autumn 2025, in person.

• Training session focused on communications and how to consider certain aspects of the charity grant applications.

Panel activities and meetings

Below are the activities that Panel members will attend after they have completed their training. All Panel members must complete the training sessions (listed above) so they can take part in the Panel.

• Up to two meetings approximatively every four to six months.
• Those who will act as representatives of the wider Panel will also attend one or two additional meetings.

As we are testing out how to work with the Panel, this frequency will be reviewed – although it is likely that it would not be more frequent than this.

Group activity: Charity grant application review

• One session with group activities (several hours, with breaks), in person.
• De-brief session to reflect on how the activity went and what can be improved (one hour), online.

Committee meeting
(only for those who will act as representatives of the wider Panel).

• Attendance to the Charity committee meeting (one hour), online.
• De-brief session to reflect on how the activity went and what can be improved (one hour), online.

• Provide training and ongoing support to help as a Panel member.
• Provide a certificate:
  – of completed training.
  – for time off to volunteer (if required).
  – listing skills and experience gained through this role.
• Offer to provide a record of your membership after you have completed a year as a Panel member.
• Support you to prepare for each meeting by sending materials ahead of time and in your preferred format.
• Support you on how to use and navigate Microsoft Teams for any online meetings.
• Provide refreshments for in-person meetings.
• Update you on grant applications (projects) and the impact they have had.
• Answer any of your questions ahead of meetings.

By taking part, you will have the opportunity to:

• Meet new people – build relationships with a diverse range of individuals and connect with others who care about making a difference.
• Learn more about healthcare and research – gain a deeper understanding of how healthcare is delivered, how research works, and how patients and the public can get involved. You’ll also learn what it’s like to be part of a committee.
• Grow your skills – take part in training and develop a variety of skills such as reviewing documents, public speaking, giving helpful feedback, and working in a team.
• Share your experiences – use your own life experience to shape and influence the work of our Charity and help decide which healthcare projects we support.
• Get more involved – discover more ways to take part in Evelina London Children’s Charity and become a valued member of our Charity community.

Adult parent and carers

We will offer panel members the following in recognition of your time and commitment. It’s your choice whether to receive this.

• Payment for the time spent in meetings. This includes time to read papers and prepare for meetings.
• Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses for transport within and outside of London.
• Childcare and carer costs.

Children and young people (aged 13-21)

• We will cover reasonable expenses like travel, and if needed, we can reimburse your parent or carer.
• Training and support – We’ll make sure you have the tools and guidance you need to take part confidently.
• Recognition for your involvement – You’ll receive a certificate to show you are a member of the panel.
• Useful for your future – We can provide a letter explaining your role and contributions, which could support applications for college, volunteering, or paid work.

Please note:

• The rate of expenses and payments will be capped.
• Receiving any form of payment for involvement in the panel is likely to have implications for you if you are employed, unemployed receiving state benefits or retired. This is because the payment you receive may be treated as earnings. We strongly advise you seek expert advice about your own personal financial circumstances before accepting payment. You may also be liable for tax.
• The following sources of information may be useful:
  – Your local Citizens Advice Bureau – you can find this online or by telephoning 0800 144 8848.
  – Disability Rights UK – you can find this online or by telephoning 0330 995 0400.
  – HM Revenue & Customs – you can find this online.