Expression of Interest

Thank you for your interest in our study exploring mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) delivered via innovative digital methods. We are recruiting adults who have experienced recent anxiety or depressive symptoms to test this innovative approach over an 8-10-week period. You will be able to access all of the necessary equipment at New Horizons premises in Aberdare or Arts Factory premises in Ferndale.  

The form that follows will give us the details needed for us to decide if this approach is likely to be a suitable approach for you, however before completing the form, please read the information below. 

Who can participate?

As a minimum, you need to be:

• A UK resident aged 18 years or older
• not currently receiving talking therapies 
• able to travel to New Horizons or Arts Factory premises.

What is the time commitment?

The research study requires you to commit to the programme over a period of 8-10 weeks, with the introductory and first and last programme session taking place at New Horizons or Arts Factory premises with the other sessions taking place in your own home. 

You will need to be able to commit to completing the eight-week course within ten weeks. 

You will need to be available to take part in this study from July 2025. 

Where is the study located?

The study is being delivered in the following local locations:-

Who is involved in the study team? 

Our study team are: Tend VR Ltd and associates, New Horizons and Arts Factory, supported by the Bevan Commission through the Bevan Exemplar Programme.

How can I find out more?

• If you need more information or want to ask questions about the research study before completing this form, please contact Tend on research@tend-vr.com or contact New Horizons on Dean.Clements@newhorizons-mentalhealth.co.uk, tel 01685 881113
• Applicants accepted onto the study will be provided with a Fully Informed Consent Form with further details of the study in order to consider consent once they feel more fully informed.
• Please be aware that in submitting this form you are accepting the terms of the privacy policy for Tend VR Ltd, which can be found on our website here  https://www.tendmentalhealth.com/privacy

IMPORTANT:

If you feel as if you might attempt suicide, or may seriously harm yourself, you need urgent medical help. Please do not complete this form and immediately:

• Call 999 for an ambulance
• Go straight to A&E, if you can
• Call NHS 111
• If you can't do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.

Please complete the 2 short questionnaires below as part of your expression of interest. 

These questionnaires are the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7). 

These help us to understand how you are feeling at the moment and help us to understand if this study is potentially suitable for you. 

We will ask you to complete these again, alongside other outcomes measures, immediately before your participation in the study commences.

In addition, please complete the short consent form below, allowing us to process the information you have provided in this document. There will be a further, more detailed consent form once we have accepted you on to the study and have sent you additional information.

1. I confirm that I have read all of the information in this expression of interest form. 
2. I have had the opportunity to consider the information, ask questions and have had these answered satisfactorily.
3. I understand that my consent is given only for sharing the information I have provided in this form, and only for sharing with the study team that I am free to withdraw at any time.
4. I consent for the information I have provided in this form to be logged, stored and evaluated by the study team, including analysis of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 data, for the purposes of agreeing feasibility to participate in the study and that the data will be held for up to 2 years if you are accepted on to the study but it will be deleted immediately if you do not participate in the study. This data will be held electronically on an encrypted server. 
5. I consent to my name and phone number/email being shared with the study team and my local Mind branch (to set up appointments).
6. I would like to take part in the study and understand all of the information about the study that I have been given so far.
7. I understand that further information will be provided, alongside a more detailed consent form, once I have been accepted on to the study and that I will have the opportunity to ask further questions and to withdraw if I wish.

If you have any questions about this research study, please get in touch with us using the following email: research@tend-vr.com

Thank you for completing this expression of interest form and considering taking part in our study. 

We will be in touch to let you know whether or not you have been accepted on to the study. If you change your mind, just let us know by email and we can remove your application. 

Thank you.