April 2024

Increasing Diversity in Research Participation: Research Engagement Network (REN) project update

The REN project is an NHS England funded project to work closely with communities. Our Sussex project has focused on co-designing and delivering a community researcher development programme for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and other identities (LGBTQ+) and/or from minoritised ethnic backgrounds (further details on the REN can be found in our previous December Newsletter). It has been a tremendously exciting project and a great opportunity to reach underserved groups in Brighton and Sussex, whose voices are rarely heard in research studies.

We recruited 15 Community Researchers, and held two training sessions in Brighton, where volunteers discovered how best to collect qualitative data in their communities.

Terry Adams (pictured below), who led the training, said:

"Community research is based on conducting research with communities, not on communities.  Community Researchers reflect the background and characteristics of the people being researched.

Despite the limitations of time, the results coming from the research reveal a rich and robust set of findings that not only represent an authentic voice of these communities, but also offer insight into solutions to the issues for the NHS and the communities that can be effectively addressed.  All the Community Researchers have commented on the positive experience of participating. All desire to build on what they have learnt, improve their research skills, and contribute more to the objectives of the NHS health and social care research programmes."

The data collection is now complete. Each Community Researcher carrying out three interviews with members of the public to find out about their interest and understanding of health and care research. Their reports are now being consolidated and will be published in April/May. We look forward to sharing the results in our summer newsletter.

We are excited to be working on two upcoming REN events planned for April; a Sussex REN celebration event to recognise and acknowledge the partnership building, Community Researchers and work carried out so far; and a South-East Pan Regional event with members of the six REN projects in the region coming together to share learning. 

October 2023

NHS England REN Cohort 2 Partners – joint statement

Sussex Integrated Care System (ICS) in partnership with Brighton and Sussex Health Research Partnership (HRP) has been awarded £100,000 of funding from NHS England to work in partnership with voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Sussex, with the aim to engage minoritised groups from areas of deprivation and to improve research participation. 

The project will be led by Anna-Marie Bibby-Jones, Senior Research Fellow for Equality Diversity & Inclusion, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Jane Lodge, Associate Director of Public Involvement and Community Partnerships, Sussex Health and Care Partnership; and Virginia Govoni, Head of Health Research Partnership. 

Building on the NHS Sussex Community Ambassador Network and community feedback, they plan to co-create and implement a Community Researcher Development Programme. People from our local minoritised ethnic communities and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer/Questioning and other identities (LGBTQ+) communities will be invited to receive Community Researcher training. They will reach out into various parts of Sussex to explore connections between communities and health and care research. Their findings will be crucial for guiding health and care providers and researchers on how we can do better at engaging marginalised groups. 

The project leads will also launch a new pan-Sussex Diversity in Health and Care Research Engagement Network to bring together our local Grassroots organisations, larger VCSEs, the Integrated Care System (ICS) and health and care researchers. An independent impact evaluation will be conducted by Professor of Social Work and Social Policy, Kish Bhatti-Sinclair from the University of Chichester.

Trust for Developing Communities will lead VCSE involvement in the project. Kaye Duerdoth, Deputy Chief Executive said: “I am looking forward to this new collaboration which brings community research learning opportunities as well as greater understanding about engaging with communities effectively. This insight will lead to improved services for our communities.”

Prof Martin Llewelyn, Clinical Director of Research and Innovation at University Hospital Sussex said: “The REN award comes at a very good time. Both the Trust and the HRP are setting their strategies for the next five years now. The award will help ensure there is really strong and diverse public input as these strategies take shape.” 

Other VCSEs involved in the project are Diversity Resource International (DRI), Sussex Interpreting Service (SIS), Brighton & Hove Switchboard, The Clare Project, Crawley Community Action, 3VA and Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester.

July 2023

Recruitment of Public Advisers (x4) to the HRP

We are recruiting public advisers to become members of our Health Research Partnership public, community, involvement and engagement advisory group (HRP PCIE advisory group). The group is a new venture and is currently being established. The aspiration is to grow this group to reach 10 – 12 members. The group will initially be piloted for 3 years. The role of public adviser to the HRP is key to the promotion of the interests of the public and local communities in all aspects of research by providing patient and public perspectives operationally and in strategic development.

VIEW THE ROLE PROFILE HERE >

VIEW THE FULL ADVERT HERE >

Recruitment open for new Research Manager role

Applications are open to join our team as Research Manager. View the role and apply below, or contact Zoe Boylan (Z.Boylan@sussex.ac.uk) for more info.

APPLY FOR THE ROLE HERE >

October 2022

The Health Research Partnership (HRP) was officially launched at a meeting on Friday 30 September. The meeting was well attended by representatives from across the partnership and number of stakeholders.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE >