Expanding health research participation in mid and south Essex  

For too long, research has spoken about communities, not with them as partners. Our Research Engagement Network is changing that. 

The Research Engagement Network (REN), launched in November 2023, is built on the belief that everyone deserves a voice in shaping the future of health and care research. That’s why REN is breaking down barriers and bringing research directly into the heart of our communities, especially those who’ve historically been left out of the conversation. 

REN is advancing inclusive research by training Community Champions to engage diverse populations directly and fostering partnerships between Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, the National Institute for Health Research, and community groups. 

What’s happening through REN has been nothing short of transformational. With deep passion and determination, we have reached people who were once labelled “hard to reach” and proved they were never unreachable, just unheard. From young people and older adults to ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with learning disabilities, and those living with health and social inequalities, over 12,000 people have now been connected to research opportunities that reflect their lives and experiences. 

Currently, 24 trained Community Champions represent a wide range of communities, including ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ groups, individuals with learning disabilities, and people facing health and social inequalities. 

Irene is a community champion based in Thurrock. We asked Irene to share her experience of being a REN Community Champion:

I became a community champion in June 2024. My role involves collaborating with our community members, conducting interviews, and facilitating focus groups to gather valuable insights and feedback. 

I am the Founder of the Black Working Mothers Network group which is part of the Research Engagement Network (REN) project. It is a vibrant and supportive community that addresses the unique challenges faced by Black mothers.  

The group aims to enhance the participation of Black women in NHS research. Black mothers often face an intersection of barriers in healthcare, which can include: 

• Underrepresentation of Black mothers in healthcare research and decision-making processes, which leads to a lack of culturally appropriate care and support. 

• Difficulties accessing quality healthcare services, which can result in poorer health outcomes for both mothers and their children. 

• Bias and Discrimination, from healthcare providers, which can affect the quality of care they receive and their overall healthcare experience. 

Making a difference 

Being part of the REN project has been incredibly rewarding. I have enjoyed engaging with the community and connecting with Black women and their families, understanding their experiences, and gathering valuable qualitative data. 

I also feel that our work has been able to make a difference. The insights gathered have helped identify barriers to participation in NHS research and have contributed to developing strategies to overcome these challenges. We’ve also built trust with community members which is crucial for encouraging participation in healthcare research. 

Over the past year, I am proud of many achievements, including: 

• Conducting interviews and focus groups, in-person and virtually, with Black and ethnic minority women to uncover barriers to research participation. 

• Championing the importance of representation and trust in healthcare research, encouraging more Black and ethnic minority professionals to advocate for research initiatives. 

• Leading discussions around healthcare, motherhood, and cultural practices, emphasising the need for culturally sensitive support and options. 

More widely, the REN project has also helped engage local communities to inform three key strategies by facilitating focus groups: 

• NHS Mid and South Essex Medium Term Plan 

• Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust 10 Year Strategy  

• ‘NHS Change 10-Year Plan’ which will set out how we deliver an NHS that is fit for the future.  

Research in action: transforming clinical practice 

Another example of our impact comes from one of my fellow Community Champions, Shelly, who recently facilitated connections between Clinical Research Nurse Rachel Dowling and South Asian families.  

They welcomed Rachel into their homes, even cooking her dinner and giving her the time to undertake detailed research with all the family members. Rachel’s research contributed to the Genes & Health study, which revealed a critical finding: a commonly prescribed heart attack prevention drug is ineffective in over 50% of South Asian patients, despite being routinely prescribed after heart attacks. 

This discovery is driving movement toward increased genetic testing to ensure treatment efficacy, demonstrating how inclusive research directly improves patient outcomes through more personalised medicine approaches.   

This example highlights how breaking down barriers to research participation leads to meaningful improvements in healthcare for everyone. 

What is next for REN? 

One of the next exciting opportunities for REN will be working with mental health charities Mid and Northeast Essex Mind and Southeast and Central Essex Mind to launch a community-led mental health research initiative. 

The project will focus on underserved coastal and rural areas, including: 

• Mid and North East Essex: Maldon, Burnham-on-Crouch, and the Dengie Peninsula 

• South Essex: Southend, Shoeburyness, and Canvey Island 

This initiative will address mental health inequalities by: 

• Engaging residents 

• Co-designing research priorities 

• Raising awareness of support and participation opportunities 

We are always looking for opportunities, if you have a research requirement and want to reach out to our network, email [email protected]