research-better-together

Building Participatory Research Capacity in Social Care

Research Better Together is designed to share knowledge on participatory research and facilitate stronger connections between health and social care researchers and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Birmingham.

We have completed two pilot projects and are delighted to announce the launch of Research Better Together 2025.  Developed by Kelly Hall and Caroline Jackon at the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC), the programme is now funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Research Better Together is about academic researchers and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) working in equal partnerships with the communities they support to co-produce research.  

 

Creative Methods

Pencil drawing of rainbow, drama images and musical score

Information about creative methodologies which can be used in participatory research.

Resources

Pencil drawing of a rainbow with a person sat at a desk on the phone at one end and a group of people at the other end

Helpful resources for participatory research and co-production.

Networking

Pencil drawing of a network connecting different coloured circles containing silhouettes of people

Examples of networking activities from the project

Forthcoming Events

We will be holding an in-person networking event on Tuesday 14th January 2025. You can register online.

For further information contact Kelly Hall at k.j.hall@bham.ac.uk or Caroline Jackson c.jackson.7@bham.ac.uk

Project aims

The project aims to build capacity and knowledge exchange in participatory research among health and social care researchers and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) in Birmingham.

In stage 1 (Jan – Oct 2022) the project:

  • Mapped participatory research and education in Birmingham.
  • Delivered training for researchers and VCSOs in creative participatory research methods and approaches. 
  • Facilitated peer learning and support for researchers and VCSOs in Birmingham through webinars and a networking workshop.

In stage 2 (Mar 2023 - May 2024) the project connected and provided practical support to social care researchers and VCSEs in Birmingham to engage in participatory research by:

  • Delivering training for VCSEs and academic researchers in participatory research, focusing on engaging communities, evidencing impact and creative methodologies. 
  • Providing mentorship to small teams of academic researchers and VCSEs to co-design and co-deliver social care focused research projects or bids that include people with lived experience of care.

In Stage 3 (Oct 2024 – Dec 2025), the newly funded ‘Research Better Together 2025’ programme provides access to:

  • Training for academic and VCSEs
  • Mentoring and support to develop research-based collaborations, produce research proposals, and apply for funding
  • Grants of up to £8,000 to support new collaborations and the inclusion of people with lived experience and communities in co-production activity
  • Access to a Community of Practice with other VCFSE and researcher collaborations to share ideas and learn

Impact

The beneficiaries and benefits of this project include:

  • Academic researchers, who will develop a stronger understanding of participatory research methodologies, and have access to a wider network of local organisations and co-researchers that can be embedded within research design and delivery;
  • VCSOs, who will benefit from peer learning, training and networking with other VCSOs and academic researchers to support future partnerships and the creation of a more inclusive research environments;
  • People with lived experience of care, who will benefit from new opportunities to co-produce research with academics and VSCOs, and in turn enable a better understanding of social care delivery.

Research Better Together phases 1 and 2 were funded by the Enhancing Research and Knowledge Exchange Funding Programme at the University of Birmingham. Phase 3 is being funded through an NIHR Programme Development Grant.

Research Better Together 2025 is a collaborative project involving:

  • Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC),an infrastructure organisation which supports the VCFSE sector in Birmingham ;
  • Birmingham Community Healthcare Foundation Trust;
  • Our evaluation team from Newman University,  University of Nottingham and Catalyst4 Change;
  • Danai Papachristopoulou from The Refugee and Migrant Centre as a VCSFE sector adviser, having been involved in phase 2 of Research Better Together

In phases 1 and 2, training was delivered by:

  • Communicate2U, a local social enterprise with expertise in participatory research, including non-verbal, creative research methodologies. 
  • Co-Production Works, a consultancy specialising in citizen and service user involvement in research and practice;