The event was attended by around 50 researchers, community organisations, health and care professionals and patients, service users the public who were brought together to exchange ideas, evidence and expertise.

The theme of the event focused on tackling health and social care inequalities amidst an ever-increasing cost of living crisis.

Professor Rachel Allen capacity building theme, welcomed everyone to the event followed by Sophie Lowry, implementation and involvement manager, Health Innovation Network who gave an introduction to the involvement team’s work at ARC South London.

Three research projects were presented, which were either involving or led by community groups:

  • A randomised controlled trial of volunteer ‘Health Champions’ supporting people with serious mental illness manage their physical health,  Dr Julie Williams, South London Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London and a health champion
  • The cost of living crisis and multiple long-term conditions project, Raquel Caires Januario, project manager, Elaine Brown, community researcher and Cheryl Osei, community researcher, Centric Community Research
  • Evaluating place-based models of maternity care for women living in an area of ethnic diversity and social disadvantage Drs Cristina Fernandez Turienzo, Zahra Khan and Zoe Vowles, King’s College London, ARC South London’s maternity and perinatal mental health theme, Carla Stanke, public health specialist Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP) and Rachel Smith, caseload team leader LEAP.

In response to the presentations, Beverley Randall, programme manager, Mosaic Clubhouse, ARC South London Board and Executive public member welcomed the opportunity to hear about the range of research involving local communities at the event but highlighted what more needs to be done to engage diverse communities.

Research is all about building relationships. We need to get better at explaining what research is and the benefits it gives to people to get them involved.

Beverley Randall

Beverley Randall, programme manager, Mosaic Clubhouse, ARC South London Board and Executive public member

The presentations were followed by a brief Q&A. Next Professor Tushna Vandrevela, professor of health psychology, Kingston University and co-deputy lead for ARC South London’s capacity building theme and Dr Aoife Keohane, ARC South London’s programme lead – short courses, led a brokering session where delegates were invited to have brief 4-minute conversations about potential research ideas, network and visit information stalls.

Read the presentations

Watch the video about Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP).