By Dorcas Akeju OBE, ARC NWC Public Advisor
Watch a video of Dorcas on her research work with ARC NWC here:
Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTLcEGmvB3s&feature=youtu.be
My journey with applied health research did not begin with ARC NWC. It began earlier, with CLAHRC NWC). When CLAHRC evolved into the Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast, I continued that journey as a Public Advisor. Now, as ARC NWC moves into its next phase ARC2NWC, I find myself reflecting on how many years this involvement has spanned and how profoundly it has shaped me.
After more than 35 years as a midwife and over three decades of volunteering, I wanted to continue making a meaningful difference, particularly in addressing inequalities affecting women, families and underserved communities. What I found was not just an opportunity to contribute, but a journey that reshaped my understanding of research itself.
I joined CHLARCH because I believed research should reflect the realities of the people it is meant to serve. Too often, communities most affected by health inequalities are the least represented in studies designed to address them.
One of the first projects I was involved in explored why bowel cancer screening uptake was low among Black and minority ethnic communities. Rather than making assumptions, we examined the barriers from the community perspective. Was it language? Cultural understanding? Trust? Awareness? Accessibility?
We looked closely at how information was communicated and whether it truly reached the intended audience. This included considering literacy levels, cultural sensitivity and the way screening invitations were presented. The work was shared at an Evidence for Change workshop, and it was encouraging to see that this community-focused approach contributed to improvements in screening uptake. It demonstrated that when research listens to people’s experiences, it can lead to real change.
Being part of the ARC NWC communications group was particularly important to me, as it focused on how research is shared with the public. Clear, inclusive communication determines whether people understand research findings and feel able to act on them.
I was also involved in projects examining GP services and how they affect community wellbeing. In one study, I chaired focus groups with patients from different GP practices across Liverpool, ensuring that service users’ experiences directly informed the discussion. These conversations highlighted how access, continuity of care and trust influence health outcomes far beyond clinical treatment alone.
My involvement extended to research on multiple long-term conditions and on how to embed meaningful public involvement within complex studies. Having personal experience of long-term conditions made this work especially significant. It reinforced that research must consider the whole person, not just individual diagnoses.
ARC NWC opened doors to national collaborations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was invited to contribute to maternity workshops examining antenatal care, home birth services and postnatal mental health. I later participated in cross-regional work exploring how services could better support individuals affected by domestic violence and abuse, an issue I am deeply passionate about.
These experiences showed that public advisors can influence change far beyond their local area. They also demonstrated the value placed on lived experience as a form of expertise.
Reflecting on my time with ARC NWC, I gained far more than I expected.
I developed a deeper understanding of research methods and processes. I learned how evidence is gathered, analysed and translated into policy and practice. I improved my digital skills, moving from limited confidence with online platforms to fully participating in virtual meetings, workshops and conferences.
Working alongside advisors from diverse backgrounds was equally enriching. Each person brought unique perspectives shaped by culture, profession and life experience. Together, we formed a supportive community united by a shared commitment to reducing health inequalities.
Seeing my name included on published research papers was another meaningful milestone. It signalled that public contributions were not symbolic but genuinely valued.
Public involvement is often described as giving a voice to the community, but my experience showed it is also a process of mutual learning. Researchers gain insight into real-world experiences, while advisors gain knowledge, skills and confidence.
During my time with ARC NWC, I attended study days, conferences and ARC events where researchers presented their work. I also had the opportunity to present, write blogs and contribute to discussions shaping future research priorities. These experiences encouraged me to deepen my academic knowledge, complementing my professional background.
As this project draws to a close, I reflect on what ARC NWC has truly meant to me. It has not been a single role or project, but a transformation in how I engage with health, research and community work.
The knowledge and confidence I gained continue to inform everything I do, from volunteering to advocacy. Even though I have chosen not to return to paid employment, I remain committed to using what I have learned to support communities and promote equity.
ARC NWC demonstrated that research can be inclusive, collaborative and grounded in real lives. It showed that public advisors are not an optional addition but an essential part of meaningful research.
This may be the final blog of the project, but it is not the end of the journey. The relationships built, the lessons learned and the changes influenced will continue to shape future work across the region and beyond.
For me personally, ARC NWC has been a reminder that learning never stops and that experience, when combined with opportunity, can become a powerful force for change.
I am proud to have contributed, grateful for the trust placed in me, and hopeful that the model of genuine public involvement will continue to grow.
Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way.