helping people with psychosis to expand their social networks the stakeholders views background people with psychosis experience more social isolation than any other diagnostic group and have smaller social networks than the general population this isolation can have a detrimental effect on quality of life no direct standardised interventions have been developed to specifically target this issue stakeholders input appears crucial in the process of developing such an intervention this study aimed to identify the main considerations when developing an intervention aiming to reduce social isolation in people with psychosismethods focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with patients carers and mental health staff data was thematically analysedresults thirty four patients with psychosis 26 carers of people experiencing psychosis and 22 mental health professionals participated in the study suggested aspects to be considered in a novel intervention were i finding and training the right staff member ii discussing negative social attitudes and patients previous negative experiences iii addressing personal ambivalence iv establishing how best to provide information about social activities v facilitating access to social activities vi striking a balance between support and independenceconclusion the suggestions identified can help to develop more targeted approaches to reduce social isolation within this patient group a patientcentred approach and generic communication skills appear to be underpinning most of the helpful elements identified whilst specific techniques and skills can help to overcome negative past experiences and motivational barriers