Colleagues across national NIHR Applied Research Collaborations recently assembled to examine Community Engagement work throughout NIHR ARCs.

The focus of their latest event which enabled attendees to share learning and best practice posed the question, “How do we sustain community engagement across the ARCs and, importantly, measure the impact of this in our work?”

Stakeholder Research and Engagement Manager Claire Selby, who is responsible for developing the Community Research and Engagement Network (COREN) at ARC NWC said: “This was the second in a series of online events led by ARC NWC, ARC Greater Manchester and ARC North East and North Cumbria. The reception to the event was really positive with an acknowledgement of how much more there is to do with regards to community engagement across the ARCs.”

The group have begun to collectively identify and investigate which resources can be co-developed and put into practice to demonstrate how a collaborative community engagement strategy can be achieved.

Sue Wood, Head of NIHR ARC Greater Manchester, said: “Community engagement that is inclusive and reaches those people who don’t currently have a voice in shaping health and care research has never been more important. The ability to share our learning across ARCs and share approaches that work whilst discussing the challenges is invaluable”.

The coordinating group is meeting again soon to plan next steps and would welcome any thoughts or feedback. Please contact Claire Selby via email if you would like to get involved: c.selby@lancaster.ac.uk