In 2023/24, NHSE’s Research Engagement Network (REN) funded a number of NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to develop a project around community-led research, which West Yorkshire ICB successfully received funding for and has received further to continue in 2024/25.
In West Yorkshire, this was used to develop an innovative West Yorkshire VCSE Research Champions model in partnership between the WY Research Team, Power of Communities Programme and WY VCSE Voices Panel with the aims of:
- Developing an understanding of research barriers/enablers and exploring opportunities for myth-busting around research
- Offering opportunities for research participation
- Understanding what information communities are willing to share for research
This resulted in the West Yorkshire VCSE Research Champions model, where:
- 12 VCSE Research Champions from VCSE organisations based in ethnically minoritised communities were identified who received training, co-produced the approach, and attended community of practice sessions
- We facilitated work with the VCSE Research Champions being led by their needs and asks
- We facilitated further opportunities with NHS and academic organisations in each Place where possible to strengthen relationships/funding opportunities.
West Yorkshire VCSE Research Champions during Jan-Mar 2024 were able to:
- Hold over 640 conversations across West Yorkshire in more than 30 events
- Discussions took place in various places, including flower decoration, ESOL and exercise classes, cafes, support groups and childcare groups
- Research champions and community members have shared many examples of barriers to research involvement and have suggested ways to improve communication and access to research
- Shared various research opportunities, (e.g., Genes and Health, Babi, and Lollipop)
- Became involved with the Yorkshire and Humber Ethnic Minority Research Inclusion (EMRI) Network, with two champions representing REN at an EMRI conference
- Participated in co-development of research bids alongside universities; and opportunities to join local research networks
- Strengthened relationships across statutory services, non-statutory services, and our West Yorkshire population
- The expertise of the research champions, community members and VCSE partners has been invaluable and will support the development of further co-production opportunities.
What made it a success is being genuinely VCSE sector led
- Project developed jointly by the WY Research Team with VCSE Leads from the Power of Communities Programme and WY VCSE Voices Panel
- All the funding went out to VCSE organisations in each Place working with VCSE infrastructure organisations based on the WY VCSE Reimbursement Policy
- Giving VCSE Research Champions time to receive training and meaningfully reflect on what it meant for them, their organisation, and the communities they work with
- Empowering VCSE Research Champions to focus on areas they were passionate about and not given prescriptive asks / processes
- Enabling the VCSE sector play to their strengths in how they already worked with underserved communities (e.g., asking questions to people during regular classes, tea & coffee mornings, support groups, etc. rather than creating ‘new spaces’ for NHS/academic staff)
- Through a Community of Practice, VCSE Research Champions:
- co-designed reporting templates and processes for how they wanted to report their findings to the WY Research Team
- created the space for them to continually ask what they need from the WY Research Team to be successful
- shared good practice with each other and with the WY Research Team.
Next steps
We successfully applied for NHSE’s Research Engagement Network funding to continue this work for 2024/25 building on the work and approach so far.