Research Engagement Network
Improving the inclusion of under-served, racially-minoritised communities in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire in health and care research
We want research to drive the design of more inclusive health and care services by helping to understand the needs of our communities.
The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire diverse Research Engagement Network has been set up to improve the inclusion of under-served, racially-minoritised communities in research.
Led by grassroots community partners, it connects people researching and working in health and care with voluntary and community organisations, and public contributors. It aligns local research with Integrated Care System projects and priorities.
Its purpose is to:
- build trusted relationships between researchers and diverse communities to improve how research is done long term, rather than project by project;
- pass on to communities what is learned from research so that they can benefit from this knowledge, and ensure insights from communities are shared within the health and care system;
- identify ways that research can address race-related health inequalities.
Read our Terms of engagement for researchers working with the BNSSG diverse Research Engagement Network.
Who’s involved
Our growing Network has more than 100 members from over 25 organisations, including eight voluntary and community organisations.
There is lots of expertise among members and everyone’s contributions are valued equally.
It meets monthly and is chaired by Primrose Granville, a Bristol Health Partners public contributor with lived experience.
The Network has been funded by NHS England.
What the Network does
The Network is a hub for sharing good work, opportunities and connections.
Together, we are creating a unified and coordinated way of working with diverse communities by developing principles for collaboration.
Whilst the focus is on research, this work will influence health and care workforce development, widening participation in higher education, and service improvement.
To support impactful changes, we also help to organise training for colleagues working on research locally, including anti-racism, allyship, cultural humility and inclusive recruitment.
The Network is led by Caafi Health and Nilaari. It is supported by People in Health West of England.
Health Ambassadors
The Network aims to build trusted relationships with communities through trained, community-embedded Health Ambassadors. These Health Ambassadors:
- run events promoting research in local communities
- promote the importance of taking part in research
- advise researchers to ensure that their research is inclusive of and adaptive to communities’ preferences.
- enhance the diversity of people taking part in research studies so that findings are representative and meaningful.
- work with our ICS and researchers to do research on topics that matter most to our communities.
How to join the Network
The Network meets monthly on a Friday.
Meetings are informal. If you have a topic that you would find useful to discuss, anyone else that you would like to invite to the Network, or any other questions, please email [email protected]
For researchers
Do you have a research idea which involves working with diverse communities?
Do you have a question about the Health Ambassadors?
Please email [email protected]
Do you have a question about the Research Engagement Network?
Please email [email protected]
Examples of resources shared by the Network:
- Inclusive approaches to involvement of community groups in health research:
- NHS Cultural Awareness Training guide aimed at organisations working with diverse communities. The self-guided video training was developed by the BNSSG Covid-19 Vaccination Programme in partnership with members of the Barton Hill and Lawrence Hill community and staff from Bristol Inner City Primary Care Network.
