Building Participatory Research Capacity in Social Care

The project aims to build capacity and knowledge exchange in participatory research among social care researchers and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) in Birmingham.

In stage 1 (Jan – Oct 2022) the project:

• Mapped participatory research and education in Birmingham.
• Delivered training for researchers and VCSOs in creative participatory research methods and approaches. 
• Facilitated peer learning and support for researchers and VCSOs in Birmingham through webinars and a networking workshop.

In stage 2 (Mar 2023 - May 2024) the project aims to connect and provide practical support to social care researchers and VCSEs in Birmingham to engage in participatory research by:

• Delivering training for VCSEs and academic researchers in participatory research, focusing on engaging communities, evidencing impact and creative methodologies. 
• Providing mentorship to small teams of academic researchers and VCSEs to co-design and co-deliver social care focused research projects or bids that include people with lived experience of care.

The beneficiaries and benefits of this project include:

• Academic researchers, who will develop a stronger understanding of participatory research methodologies, and have access to a wider network of local organisations and co-researchers that can be embedded within research design and delivery;
• VCSOs, who will benefit from peer learning, training and networking with other VCSOs and academic researchers to support future partnerships and the creation of a more inclusive research environments;
• People with lived experience of care, who will benefit from new opportunities to co-produce research with academics and VSCOs, and in turn enable a better understanding of social care delivery.