Interns from ARC NWC gathered against the backdrop of The Scholars Restaurant at the University of Central Lancashire, revealing innovative research projects aimed at enhancing policies, procedures, and patient pathways within ARC NWC member organisations. The event placed a strong emphasis on the importance of knowledge exchange and the promotion of professional development through upskilling colleagues.

Highlighting ARC NWC’s commitment to advancing health and social care through cutting-edge research in collaboration with our member organisations, the captivating and engaging in-person presentations, covered a diverse array of health and social care research initiatives.

The event was a testament to the collaborative efforts driving transformative solutions in health and social care, reducing health inequalities, and enhancing the sustainability of the health and care system both locally and nationally.

Throughout the day, presentations provided a snapshot of the innovative research undertaken by ARC NWC interns:

Emma Schneider:
Improving the pathway for women with infertility with the Wigan and Leigh Specialist Weight management Service through Implementation Science.
Embarking on a journey with the Wigan and Leigh Specialist Weight Management Service, Emma Schneider’s project leverages Implementation Science to enhance support for women grappling with infertility.

Emma Chappelle-Hedges:
“Are your sugars ok?” or “Are you okay, sugar?”
In her project, Emma Chappelle-Hedges explores the intricate communication surrounding diabetes and its profound impact on patient well-being.

Claire Slinger:
Is trans-laryngeal ultrasound a useful tool in the assessment of inducible laryngeal obstruction? Heathy volunteer data from the ILOTUS: A two-stage exploratory feasibility study
Claire Slinger’s project investigates the utility of trans-laryngeal ultrasound in assessing inducible laryngeal obstruction, utilising healthy volunteer data from the ILOTUS study.

Catherine Gallagher:
Gestational Diabetes Prevention
Catherine Gallagher’s research is dedicated to preventing gestational diabetes, offering insights into strategies to safeguard maternal and fetal health.

Jenni Ying:
Who is accessing East Lancashire Hospitals Trust’s community stroke and neurorehabilitation services? Who is accessing the NROL service as an outline adjunct to face to face therapy? An outline of the preliminary findings.
Jenni Ying’s project delves into the utilisation patterns of East Lancashire Hospitals Trust’s community stroke and neurorehabilitation services, outlining preliminary findings and potential enhancements.

Madhavi Seshu:
Social and Health inequalities in access to Dental care for children with Cleft Lip and Palate, HANDCLAP Study
Madhavi Seshu’s HANDCLAP Study addresses social and health inequalities in access to dental care for children with cleft lip and palate.

Han Cho:
Coproduced Psychoeducation group for Bipolar Disorder-Finding Balance
Han Cho’s project, “Finding Balance,” focuses on a co-produced psychoeducation group aiming to enhance support for individuals with Bipolar Disorder.

Georgi Byrne-Watts:
‘How was The Life Rooms Social Model of Health implemented and integrated into an Early Years setting?’
Georgi Byrne-Watts explores the integration of The Life Rooms Social Model of Health into an Early Years setting, providing insights into effective implementation strategies.

Isobel Tollerfield:
Thinking patterns profiling model project
Isobel Tollerfield’s project delves into a thinking patterns profiling model, offering a unique perspective on cognitive processes.

Linda Cantwell:
The investigation of a co-produced nutritional prehabilitation intervention in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy (+/- chemotherapy): A research proposal
Linda Cantwell’s research investigates the impact of a co-produced nutritional prehabilitation intervention in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Simone Anderson:
Parents’ experiences implementing parent-led Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for childhood anxiety at home
Simone Anderson sheds light on parents’ experiences implementing parent-led Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for childhood anxiety at home.

Shrouk Messahel:
The SPORTY Study-SPOrt Rehabilitation following Trauma in Young people: a research plan
Shrouk Messahel presents the SPORTY Study, focusing on sport rehabilitation following trauma in young people, outlining a comprehensive research plan.

Jessica Green:
VOCUS POCUS
Jessica Green unravels the mysteries of VOCUS POCUS, promising a unique perspective in her research.

Kym Ward:
Music Makes Us! – Facilitators and Barriers in Different Care Settings
Kym Ward evaluates the facilitators and barriers to organizing Music Makes Us! in various care settings, providing valuable insights for the intersection of music and healthcare.

Carmel Kay:
A systematic review of the barriers and facilitators impacting perinatal care provision for gestational parents who identify outside of the gender norms.
Carmel Kay conducts a systematic review of barriers and facilitators impacting perinatal care provision for gestational parents who identify outside of gender norms.

Dr. Alison McLoughlin, Research Capacity Delivery Manager and Research Fellow at ARC NWC Implementation and Capacity building Team (IMPaCT) shared her thoughts on the event:

“The ARC NWC Intern Showcase highlights the amazing work and wide-ranging impacts of the interns. It spotlights the strides in health and social care but also reflects the commitment of our collaboration to pioneering research. These individuals and projects stand as beacons of excellence within their organisations and have the potential to collectively shape the future of health and social care.”

Thank you very much and good luck to Alison who will be leaving ARC NWC to become a Clinical Research Development Lead at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust!

Sharouk Messahel of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Emergency Department said “This internship has been a great introduction to enable me to become an independent researcher with a focus on inequality outcomes, patient engagement, patient communication and improving what we do when we see patients”

I highly recommend the internship to anyone who has a question about patients they see and are interested in improving the care they give.”

For more information on how ARC NWC are continually championing research excellence alongside our member organisations and to view our current internship opportunities you can visit the internship page on the ARC NWC website: