From Research Hubs to Festive Feasts: Reflections on COPD with a PPI Member
- Lorraine Lawrence
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
On Tuesday 16th December 2025, I (Lorraine Lawrence) made my way down to the very aptly named CityLabs building on Oxford Road, Manchester. For those unfamiliar, CityLabs is a hub of innovation and research, a place where science and collaboration intersect in a dynamic and inspiring environment. Walking into the building, I was immediately struck by the modern architecture, bright open spaces, and the energetic buzz of people working together. It felt like the perfect setting for the purpose of my visit that day: meeting with one of my PPI (Patient and Public Involvement) members to catch up and discuss the next steps in our collaborative work.
Setting the Scene: CityLabs as a Research Hub
CityLabs is more than just an office building; it’s a symbol of modern research and innovation. The design itself fosters collaboration, with open-plan workspaces, communal areas, and plenty of natural light. There’s a sense of momentum here, a feeling that ideas are constantly being generated, shared, and tested. As someone deeply involved in health research and patient engagement, this environment always feels energising.
Meeting my PPI member in this setting was particularly fitting. Our work together centres patient perspectives, lived experience, and real-world insights. CityLabs, with its focus on research and innovation, provided the perfect backdrop for our discussion. The aim of the meeting was clear: to provide updates on the work I am currently undertaking and, importantly, to plan a reflective paper that I will be co-writing with my PPI partner, exploring their lived experience of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Understanding the Importance of PPI
Involving PPI members in research is about more than just gathering feedback: it’s about listening, learning, and co-creating knowledge. In my work, I have seen firsthand how PPI contributions can profoundly influence health and care research. The perspectives of those living with a condition like COPD are invaluable, as they provide insights that cannot be captured through statistics or clinical observations alone. Their lived experience highlights challenges, coping strategies, and nuances that enrich our understanding and make research more grounded.
The Meeting: Conversations That Matter
Franklin, who is a valued member of the Caribbean PPI Group, contributed his insights as a local community resident deeply engaged in health research. Having previously interviewed him for the UPTURN codesign work package, it was fantastic to continue the conversation and explore how the project can reflect lived experiences while addressing health inequalities.
When I met Franklin, we started the session with some informal conversation, catching up on life outside of research. These moments are important: they build trust and rapport, which are essential for meaningful collaboration. Once we settled into our discussion, we focused on the purpose of the meeting and I updated him on the progress of my work and discussed how we would approach the reflective paper on his COPD experience.
During our conversation we talked about his personal journey living with COPD, including the everyday challenges he faces, and the strategies he has developed to manage his condition. Despite the limitations associated with COPD, Franklin highlighted that he does not allow the condition to define or restrict him. His resilience carries him through the daily challenges and he continues to engage in activities he enjoys and to adapt his routines in ways that support his quality of life. He described a range of practical, self-directed strategies developed through lived experience and sustained determination, including maintaining regular walking to support his physical fitness, engaging in gardening as a manageable and meaningful form of activity, and continuing to travel by carefully planning around his health needs. These practices reflect an active approach to self-management and illustrate how everyday activities can be adapted to support wellbeing while living with COPD.
I also shared updates on my current work, outlining recent developments and future directions. This exchange of information is critical in maintaining a collaborative dynamic and ensuring that PPI members feel informed and valued.
The Power of Stories and Lived Experience
One of the most compelling aspects of this work is the opportunity to engage with real stories. Storytelling and illness narratives in health research are powerful tools. They bridge the gap between clinical data and daily experience. By capturing the highs, lows, coping strategies, and emotional journeys of people with lived experience, researchers can develop a more holistic understanding of health conditions and their impact on daily life.
As I listened to Franklin, I was reminded of the responsibility that comes with documenting someone’s personal experience. The goal is to accurately represent his story while highlighting broader themes that can inform healthcare practice. The reflective paper we are working on together will not only document his journey but also serve as a resource for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and other patients navigating similar challenges.
A Community Connection: Moss Side Christmas Event
Following the CityLabs visit, I also attended a community event at the West Indian Sports and Social Club, organised by another PPI member from my community-specific PPI Group for Caribbean communities, Mr Anthony Wright - or as I like to call him, ‘Mr Manchester’. The annual Christmas meal brings together young and old from across the community, fostering connection and celebration in the heart of Moss Side.
What made the event particularly special was the sense of nostalgia. I reconnected with people I hadn’t seen in years, taking me straight back to childhood holidays spent with my aunty and cousins. Even though the event was informal, the warmth of the community was immediate. True to Manchester spirit, several people noticed I had arrived alone to support Tony and welcomed me warmly. We discussed the UPTURN project, and there was genuine interest in Black health and inequalities. These conversations highlighted the importance of community-informed research and the need to address long-standing disparities through approaches that centre lived experience, trust, and meaningful engagement.
Once again, a wave of nostalgia washed over me that afternoon. I recognised a woman whose face was familiar, though I couldn’t immediately place where I knew her from. When I asked, she told me she works at Boots pharmacy in the city centre and suddenly it clicked. I remembered her from years ago, when I was still a student. Realising that nearly 25 years had passed since then was a quietly powerful moment, reminding me how community spaces hold shared histories and allow past and present to meet in the most unexpected, grounding ways.
No Caribbean event would be complete without food. The meal was fantastic, served with care by Tony and a team of volunteers whose commitment and community spirit were evident throughout the event.
The afternoon brought several strands together: collaboration with two of my PPI members, progress on a reflective paper co-written with one of them, and renewed engagement with the local community. Having lived in Manchester for 18 years, this sense of continuity and connection was particularly striking.
Looking Ahead: The Reflective Paper
Following our meeting, the next steps are much clearer to me now. Together we will co-author a reflective paper that centers Franklin’s lived experience of COPD. This paper will explore the nuances of living with a chronic condition, the strategies used to manage symptoms, and the personal insights gained along the way.
Conclusion
Tuesday 16th December was more than a simple meeting; it was a day of meaningful connection, reflection, and collaboration. CityLabs provided the perfect setting for this encounter, a space that embodies innovation and research excellence. The conversation with Franklin reminded me of the importance of patient involvement, the value of lived experience, and the power of narrative in health research.
As we move forward with the reflective paper, I carry with me the insights shared, the lessons learned, and a renewed commitment to amplifying patient voices. This work is not just academic, it is human, and it is essential. By documenting lived experiences, we can foster understanding, inspire change, and contribute to a healthcare landscape that is compassionate, informed, and patient centred.
For more information visit:
West Indian Sports & Social Club: https://loadstodo.co.uk/venue/west-indian-sports-social-club/
Author:
Lorraine Lawrence
Community Researcher (UPTURN)
Department of Health Science,
University of York
