Hello everybody, and happy Half Term! I hope it’s a peaceful week for you, however you’re spending it.

2025 has begun with a flurry or activity for EmCASH, and I’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make progress with the study.

As part of my PhD fellowship, I spend one day every fortnight working with the CAMHS crisis team in Leeds. When I first started, I thought this would just be a way to keep my clinical skills up – but I am already realising how crucial this experience is for making my research useful and relevant.

Research is not a solo sport, and making connections with the right people is a key ingredient to doing high-quality work and making positive change.

That’s why I couldn’t say no to the opportunity to organise and chair the second Research & Connect seminar, hosted by the Division of Psychological & Social Medicine at the University of Leeds.

In October 2024, I was lucky enough to give a talk at Inspiring the Next Generation, an event for academic health professionals across Leeds. I spoke about how I’ve made sure that young people and their families are at the centre of my research. My project, EmCASH, was even highlighted as a great example of patient-centred research – which made me feel both proud and inspired to keep going!