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On and beyond the screen: Reflections on being part of the UK LLC Citizen Panel 

Sarah and Farheen, UK LLC Citizen Panel members

21st Feb 2025

In this blog Sarah Chave and Farheen Yameen reflect on their experiences of being part of the UK LLC Citizen Panel. Please also read our blogs from Dr Lidis Garbovan, Research Fellow and Citizen Panel Lead and Jonathan Davis, UK LLC Citizen Panel member.

The UK LLC Citizen Panel with the artist Ben who created the visual minutes of the in-person event

Sarah   

(second from the left in group photo)

I was delighted to be accepted firstly onto the Steering Group to help set up a Citizen Panel for UK LLC and then as member of the full panel. Members of Steering Group helped to shape the purpose of the Panel, suggested ways to recruit from a diversity of sources including seldom-heard groups, and evaluated various induction materials. We explored how the aim of the Panel is firstly to evaluate the data access process used at UK LLC. Once part of the full panel I really enjoyed learning about the data access process in depth and realised just how complex it is. The team at UK LLC put a lot of effort into making these processes as understandable as possible in the three online meetings that were held.  

I feel that all this hard work really paid off when I attended the in-person workshop day held in Birmingham in January 2025. There was also a virtual group for those unable to travel for various reasons and they were able to participate via the large screen in the room. Despite the complexity of the processes being evaluated, every panel member had some really good points and suggestions for improvements. These ranged from practical ideas to help participants participate in the meetings such as providing a helpful video or document prior to each meeting to procedural suggestions such as additional emphasis on equity and willingness to engage with the concept of public good. It was particularly special to meet other panel members and I felt I learnt so much from them and UK LLC team members. I feel that together we came out with more than we could have done as individuals. I was very happy to meet Farheen who had some brilliant suggestions. 

Farheen

(third from the right in group photo) 

I had the pleasure of going to the UK LLC Citizen Panel in-person event in Birmingham on 31st January 2025. It was brilliant that Birmingham was chosen as the location for this event because it is central for almost everyone.

It was a great time that really showed how important it is to get together in-person even though online meetings have their uses. This event made me think of the special energy and connection that can only happen when people meet in-person. Being in the same room as other people who were public contributors created a sense of community and shared purpose that is hard to achieve online. 

To be honest, food is an important part of every event! And there is always good energy when there is good food, and that was true at this event too.

During the break, we had a casual conversation, also using non-verbal communication, such as smiles, and discussing various ideas spontaneously.  

Sarah and I have both appreciated being part of the UK LLC Citizen Panel, contributing to new developments in health and wellbeing research. Meetings online and in-person have both been very productive and we now look forward to seeing how the feedback from the Panel is incorporated into UK LLC data access processes.