We are working with partners to discuss health research with diverse communities and encourage everyone to get involved.

As part of the Creating Connections network in the North East and North Cumbria, we work closely with partners to make research more inclusive. Together, we are developing a package of Community Research Awareness materials that will help researchers introduce health research to communities in a clear and accessible way. Through these resources, research teams will be able to provide information, start conversations, and create opportunities for people to get involved. Ultimately, we hope to encourage people from all parts of society to participate in research.

As part of this activity, on 10 June 2026, we co-delivered a workshop with Healthworks for underserved communities. During the session, we explored what health and care research is and explained why it is so important for everyone to have the opportunity to take part. We specifically welcomed individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.

More about the workshop

The workshop took place at the Healthworks Community Health Resource Centre in Benwell. With support from Newcastle Foodbank, 12 people attended the event. Throughout the session, we used animations and videos to demonstrate health inequalities and highlight why research participation matters. We also brought health research to life by inviting attendees to take part in a mock sweet-tasting study, giving them a practical example of what participating in research can involve.

Furthermore, Dr Jana Suklan shared how community involvement has shaped our research and helped ensure that diagnostic devices meet the needs of patients and the wider public. At the same time, participants told us about the health topics that matter most to them, helping us better understand community priorities.

We were also joined by research staff from NIHR Newcastle Clinical Research Facility (CRF), Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHRP) and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The workshop was also supported by the Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTC) Cross-NIHR Collaboration (CNC) programme.

Feedback on the workshop

Vicki Harris, Head of Public Partnerships, Newcastle Health Research Partnership, said:

‘We want to say a huge thank you to Healthworks and the Newcastle Foodbank for supporting people in the community in Benwell to come along to the workshop and share their lived experience. Listening to why people might want to take part in health research and what interests them helps us improve how we recruit people to both design research and participate in it. Our aim is to raise awareness and open up discussions about health research, provide practical information about how people can get involved and very importantly build relationships with communities across the region.’

Paul Court, Chief Executive, Healthworks, said:

‘Communities hold the answers to many of our biggest health challenges. Working with the VCSE sector ensures research is inclusive, trusted and focused on what matters most to the people we serve.’

We also gathered some great feedback from those who attended:

‘Excellent interaction, all level of input was considered, all participants were involved, good exercise and feedback, safe place, good feeling, great information about research in our area, staff are very understanding polite and kind.’

Next steps

• First, the group will co-deliver another session with Newcastle Foodbank.
• We will also continue to collaborate with Creating Connections partners to refine the workshop based on the feedback we received.
• Finally, we will launch the Community Research Awareness resources at the third Collaboration for Health event on 17 November. Registration for this event will open soon.

To stay informed about this and other public involvement in research events, join the Creating Connections network.