Want to help improve health and care in your area?
At the Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS), we are looking for members of the public to become Public Advisors and share their experiences. In this role, you help guide how our organisation is run, how decisions are made, and how public voice is included. Your real-life experience helps make sure our research reflects what matters most to local people, is fair and accountable and leads to real improvements in people's lives and communities.
Our research covers things like: support for babies, young children and parents; new ways to improve mental health care; how where we live affects our health; making GP and community health services work better for local people; and using data to better understand unfair differences in health.
What is this role?
The Public Advisor is a governance role, helping us to run our organisation making sure a public perspective is part of the decisions we make., You help keep our research focused on the needs and priorities of local people.
You do not need research experience. What matters most is your lived experience (what you know from your own life and experience), along with your ideas and perspective.
By sharing your views, you will help make sure the public voice is part of decision-making at every stage.
What you will do
In this role, you will join meetings, read documents, give feedback, and share your views to help shape research priorities. You will also bring insight from your community and work alongside researchers, NHS staff and local groups.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you are aged 18 or over, live in Kent, Surrey or Sussex, and feel comfortable working with others while respecting different views. We are particularly interested in people who have experience of:
- lived experience of health & social care services
- a long-term health condition
- a disability
- being a parent or career of people with long term conditions or disability
- being part of a minoritised or underrepresented community.
You do not need qualifications or research experience. We will give you training and support to help you feel confident in the role.
What you will get
You will be paid for your time and expenses, and you will receive training and ongoing support. The role is also a chance to build confidence, develop new skills, and make a real difference in your community.
Time commitment
Most roles involve a few meetings each year, usually online, as well as some time to prepare.
These roles are for 3 years, with an option to extend to 5 years if the role suits you. You can step down at any time if your circumstances change.
We welcome everyone
If you want to help shape research that improves health and care in your community, we would love to hear from you.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are especially keen to hear from people who have used health or care services, live with long-term health conditions or disabilities, or support others as carers or parents. We also want to hear from people whose voices are too often missing from research.
Find out more
Read our Handbook for Public Members
Sign up to join one of our online information sessions on:
Monday 1 June 2026 from 12–1pm, or Tuesday 16 June 2026 from 6–7pm.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 21 June 2026.
