Community Voices In Health and Social Care Research in the Borough

Community Voices In Health and Social Care Research in the Borough

Project Overview

This NIHR‑funded project focused on expanding local understanding of what research is and what it can look like when communities lead it themselves. The project created space for communities and the VCFSE sector across Wigan Borough to explore research in a way that felt meaningful, inclusive, and rooted in lived experience.

Rather than research being done to communities, this work centred on research being shaped with and by communities, helping to uncover local research priorities and build stronger foundations for community‑led research across the borough.

Where we’ve come from

Traditional research is often carried out on communities, with limited involvement from the people whose lives it aims to improve. In line with Wigan’s wider movement for change, this project marked a shift towards a more inclusive and collaborative way of working with communities.

Delivered in partnership with Public Health and Wigan Borough Community First (WBCF), the project created a shared space for communities and the VCFSE sector to begin leading research on issues that matter most to them.

See more with the Public Involvement and Engagement Hub!

This project aimed to

Increase understanding of research across communities and VCFSE sector
Explore what community-led research looks like in practice
Create space for communities to shape and lead research conversations
Begin identifying local research priorities rooted in lived expertise
Strengthen relationships needed to support meaningful, community-led research

What we’ve learned

Research needs to be meaningful, inclusive, and accessible to communities
Strong relationships are essential – community‑led research takes time, trust, and flexibility
Involving communities at every stage improves the relevance and quality of research
Key concerns were raised around health and wellbeing, mental health, environment, children and young people, neurodiversity, cost of living.

What’s Next

Expand community‑led research across a wider geographical area.
Increase the diversity of Community Researchers, particularly reaching under‑represented groups.
Improve communication from decision‑makers so communities can see how their input leads to action.
Ensure plans are put in place to support change – and that organisations are held to account.

This project has provided a strong foundation for future place-based research activity across the borough.

Project Partners

Community Voices In Health and Social Care Research in the Borough