The Research Engagement Network (REN) is about all communities having the choice to have a say and take part in health and care research. The REN project is working with communities, organisations, and researchers from across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Through shared learning, listening and understanding, the project is working to develop research empowered communities, and address health inequalities so that everyone can benefit from research.  

Aims of the Workshop

• Raise awareness of the REN project and how research engagement links to health inequalities.
• Upskill members of the community so that they gain a deeper understanding of health and care research, with a 1^st step to develop research empowered communities.
• Enabling people from a range of different communities to share their thoughts and experiences of research to help inform the REN project.
• Provide a forum to meet and discuss opportunities with community members who might be interested in exploring further opportunities to get involved in research and the REN project.

Who is it for?

Attendees to be either a community champion or from community organisations and groups (ideally with an interest in health and wellbeing in their community). They don’t need to have had any previous knowledge of research, but just an interest to learn more about it. 

Attendees will receive a £25 gift voucher for participating in the workshop. Alternatively, if you do not want to receive a gift voucher you can also nominate a community organisation that you work with to receive a £25 donation.

Workshop Agenda

• 11.45am - 12.30pm - Arrival and lunch
• 12.30pm - Welcome, introductions
• 12.45pm - Discussion - What does health and care research mean to you? What would you like to learn from today?
• 1.00pm - What is health and care research?
• 1.15pm - Why is taking part in research important for everyone?
• 1.30pm - Discussion - Community and VCSE perspective and experiences of research, what are the barriers to research participation?
• 2.00pm - Introducing the aims of the REN project
• 2.10pm - Discussion – Where next?
• 2.30pm - Close