The Dementia Community Research Network (DCRN), based in south London, brings together researchers, community partners, and carers with a shared goal of improving dementia care and increasing public involvement in dementia research.
Recently, the network held a co-production workshop to develop a guide on making dementia research more inclusive, particularly for carers of people with dementia and community organisations.
The workshop, held on 10 November, took place after discussions with DCRN members and an illustrator, which helped inform its structure and aims. People taking part included carers and community partners, and it was facilitated by DCRN coordinators, Geeti Kabra and Olivia Luijnenburg.
I think the most prominent theme that emerged from the attendees was that public members involved in dementia research should be clearly able to see the impact of the study and their involvement.
During the workshop, attendees were asked to share their opinions on research scenarios based on prevailing public involvement practices in research. Following this, they undertook an activity considering which practices should be discarded and which new approaches could increase inclusion. The illustrator captured these discussions visually through interactive graphics.
Based on this workshop, the DCRN has been working on creating a written guide that will help researchers understand how to make dementia research more inclusive, with an emphasis on how best to involve people living with dementia.
Find out more about the work of DCRN