Published on: 7 October 2026
Cutting down from up to 60 cigarettes a day has transformed one Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s service user’s health, confidence and daily life - and what better time to share their experience than on the first day of Stoptober.
Beginning on 1 October, Stoptober is the annual month-long public health campaign that encourages smokers to reduce their tobacco use or quit altogether.
Trae, who has schizoaffective disorder - a mental health condition involving symptoms of psychosis alongside changes in mood - took part in the GENESIS study and The Feeling Safer study alongside the clinical research team at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The GENESIS Study provided a trial comparing changes in cigarette consumption after switching to high or low-strength nicotine e-cigarettes among smokers with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
The Trust’s Research and Development team leads and supports a wide range of studies designed to improve people’s lives and embed research within clinical practice. Research is also used to strengthen services and improve patient outcomes.
Making a positive change
Before joining the GENESIS study, Trae was smoking between 40 to 60 cigarettes a day. Although initially unsure about taking part, support from their family and the research team helped them reduce this significantly.
Trae said: “I didn’t want to give up but my family persuaded me to take part in the study. It was incredible. It took time, but I slowly was able to swap cigarettes for a vape they gave me.
“Now I don’t smoke until I’m home for the day, and I only allow myself a maximum of five cigarettes a day. Sometimes I only have one. It’s made me much fitter. It’s also saved me an unbelievable amount of money.”
Trae praised the personalised support they received throughout the study: “I feel so much happier with my current smoking habit. I couldn’t have achieved this without Audrey, from the research team. She was so supportive and easy to talk to. Amazing!”
Taking back control
Following their positive experience, Trae also agreed to participate in the Feeling Safer study, despite having reservations about therapy because previous approaches had not worked for them.
The Feeling Safer Study is evaluating a new online therapy programme for people with psychosis who experience strong worries or fears that others are trying to harm them.
Trae said: “It has completely changed my life. It’s the best thing I’ve ever been able to take part in to help with my experiences of psychosis.
“The therapy has literally changed the way I think. It’s meant I’ve been able to start to take back control of my life whilst actually living it. No more hiding away because it felt easier. No more wishing I could do things, now I can actually do them!”
Listening, learning and improving
Trae’s experience demonstrates the positive difference that accessible research opportunities, supportive relationships and person-centred care can make. It also reflects the Trust’s commitment to listening to service users, supporting innovation and using research to improve care.
Trae added: “I feel so proud that I [took part in] the research. I want people like me to get the opportunity to do these projects. I want them to be available to all of us.
“Without people participating in research, treatment won’t move forward. The more that they learn about us, and treatments, the better they will be.”
Frazer Tansley, Lead Research Nurse at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Research can make a real and lasting difference to people’s lives. Trae’s experience shows how the right opportunity and support can help someone make positive changes to their day-to-day life, while also improving their longer-term physical and mental health.
“Through taking part in research, people like Trae also help us understand what works well and how support can be adapted. This learning can then help others in similar situations across the communities we serve to access effective, evidence-based care and feel more confident about making healthy changes of their own.”
Clinical research can include questionnaires, focus groups, new therapies and physical interventions. The Trust’s Clinical Research service works alongside clinical teams to make it easier for service users and staff to take part.
To find out more about the Clinical Research team, visit the Trust’s website.
