We know that those who are most affected by health and broader inequalities are often the least involved in identifying research priorities, or shaping and conducting research which directly impacts them. As such, they remain under-served by health and social care research (NIHR Include Project 2020).
Community Research is a form of Participatory Action Research which is a dynamic and transformative approach to undertaking research that actively and authentically involves community members in the entire research process.
Help & Care recently launched ‘Involving People’: an enterprise under the Help & Care umbrella designed to improve health and care outcomes by involving patients and the public in the design, delivery and transformation of health services. Through Involving People, we actively seek opportunities to continue and grow this work, Community Research is very much a central part of this.
Involving People are working with Wessex Cancer Alliance to improve access to cancer treatment and support services for people with sight and hearing loss by putting lived experience at the heart of change. Building on…
Over the past two years Help & Care have worked closely with partners to explore how access to cancer care and services can be improved for disabled / neurodivergent and trans+ people. We did this…
In 2023, we published our findings for ‘What I’d Like to Say’: the first phase of a community research project exploring disabled and neurodivergent experiences of cancer services. This first phase involved working with local…
What I’d Like to Say is a Community Research project exploring the experiences of disabled and/or neurodivergent peoples experiences of cancer care and support, developing recommendations aimed towards improving the accessibility and quality of these services in the future.
In 2023, a joint bid was submitted to National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to deliver a project using a Community Research model. This project focuses on trans+ people who experience inequity and inaccessibility in…
Collaboration is one of our core values at Help & Care. Partnership and trusting relationships are key to Community Research and we are very grateful to have worked with some great organisations and partners both in the past and to date.
In current projects, we are working with local and national charities, academic establishments and the NHS and VCSE. Sharing resources, experience and knowledge have equiped us with the tools needed to turn insight into solutions.
Help & Care hosted an inspiring event in Southampton yesterday to celebrate ‘What I’d Like to Change’: a project exploring disabled and neurodivergent experiences of cancer care. Over the last year, we have worked with…
Do you want to help make breast / chest screening more accessible to neurodivergent, disabled and trans+ people? Join us as a Community Researcher! We are looking for people from disabled, neurodivergent and trans+ communities…
If you’d like to find out more about Community Research, including our current projects, or if you would like to discuss how we can support you in Community Research and peer-led engagement, you can email us at involvingpeople@helpandcare.org.uk or contact us: