lovely people and were extremely polite, making sure everyone's voice is heard. I've not once felt intimidated, unsure or not heard throughout deliberations thanks to the way it's been run over Zoom, with the breakout rooms and the jurors themselves. I've really enjoyed hearing people's different opinions. I would love to do another one and I will recommend my friends/family do, too!
It is important for my family, friends, and peers to know that the whole experience was enjoyable and enlightening. The process was well scripted and the presentations were well informed. I can now tell others about certain data platforms and give a little more feedback about data sharing. The other jurors were very friendly. We all had our own thoughts and talking them over in small groups enabled us to think outside the box. I thought that the whole process would be long-winded but the time was proportioned equally, in between presentations and group chats. If I had the chance to do another Citizens’ Jury I would not hesitate to apply.
This experience has exceeded my expectations. I was inquisitive to work with a group that I knew would have a broader view than me and would encourage me to be more open-minded. I have been surprised by the number of times I have changed my mind after deliberations with others, particularly the young. It has been a privilege to have contact with the 'expert witnesses' and more importantly to have the chance to hear both sides of the questions and ask questions of the presenters. It has awoken my brain and I would encourage anyone to apply and participate. It has been fascinating. Using Zoom and working with excellent facilitators in Sarah and Kyle makes me note that Management and Board meetings in Industry could learn a lot from this kind of DELIBERATION!
First of all I think it is important for my family friends and neighbours to know that organisations like Citizens’ Juries do exist in the UK and that we can participate in shaping our democratic process by taking part in them. I would also like to tell them how simple the process was to take part in and that everybody on the jury was respectful of each other's views and the whole process was very collaborative even when we as jurors had different views. Much of that was down to Kyle introducing the process as being about deliberation and not debate. Although the subject matter was quite detailed, the well thought-out format broke it down into manageable sessions with plenty of breaks. The "Expert Witnesses" were also good and stimulating presenters. All in all a good support to the democratic process.
This Citizens’ Jury has been a valuable experience. We have been informed about how, during the Covid-19 pandemic, certain laws had been changed without public notification and extended every three months. This was called a COPI (control of patient information) notice and it will be revised again in September 21. Our medical data, if you weren't already aware, is privy to being shared for the purpose of faster access to our record with the intention of providing better health care. Research has taken place from this data and without the COPI notice the researcher called open Safely wouldn't have had access to this data so freely, yet decisions made from this research/data have been invaluable in saving lives. Our jury has been asked to vote on how we feel data should be shared and whether or not it is for the best interest of following the “five safes,” as well as what will change after the pandemic for the better, fair and unbiased manor, basically feels as though the public opinion matters, and hopefully our voice can be heard on a wider scale. The American democratic process working with Manchester University has been so well thought through and very well planned. I feel privileged to have taken part.
I have been fortunate enough to be selected to take part in another Citizens’ Jury and I feel that I learnt a great deal about data sharing in a pandemic. The hosts have been amazing putting it all together and making it very slick and everything has seemed to run smoothly and on time without any kind of technical issues. I have enjoyed chatting and liaising with other members of the jury. We have had some good, intense discussions and put our arguments both for and against. The whole process has gone very quickly and I hope that as a group we can stay connected.

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