Reflections on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICP Research Assembly
On 19 November 2025 more than 200 people from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight gathered at the first ever Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) Research Assembly. It was a day full of connection, discovery, and shared purpose — and we’re so grateful to everyone who was there, contributed, or supported in any way.
This event wasn’t just a one-off — it’s part of a much bigger movement to make health and care research more meaningful, inclusive, and connected to the communities we serve.
Growing from Community Voices
Over a year ago, the idea of the Research Assembly first began to take shape. It built on foundational work already happening in our region, including the Raising Voices in Research (RViR) programme — a partnership-led initiative aimed at ensuring that health and care research genuinely reflects the needs and voices of under-served communities.
RViR is funded through NHS England’s Integrated Care System (ICS) Research Engagement Network development programme and delivered collaboratively by organisations including Action Hampshire, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, and the Engaging Communities Research Centre at the University of Winchester.
Rather than assuming what communities need, RViR has focused on listening first — working with local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations and the people they represent to understand what would make research more accessible, relevant, and empowering.
Through workshops, collaborative planning, toolkits, and shared spaces like the Research Collaborative, RViR has brought together community members, VCSE partners, and researchers to share insights, break down barriers, and build better ways of working together.
Celebrating Local Ideas and Impact
One of the highlights of our Assembly was the poster competition, aligned with the ICP’s five themes:
- Children and young people
- Digital and data
- Good health and proactive care
- Mental wellbeing
- Workforce
We received 55 submissions, each full of innovation, passion, and community insight. These were reviewed by a judging panel that represented a broad range of voices — from NHS staff, those working in local authorities and researchers to people with lived experience and partners from emergency services.
All the posters were on display during the event, and attendees had the chance to vote for their favourites — sparking conversation and connection across the room.
What Happened on the Day
Despite a drizzly November afternoon, the room buzzed with energy. Attendees explored 24 exhibition stands showcasing research work and partnership efforts from NIHR organisations, NHS R&D teams, voluntary sector partners, and local authorities.
Simon Bryant, Co-Chair of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICP, welcomed everyone and introduced our patient keynote speaker, Lindsay Anderson, whose story of personal engagement with research deeply resonated with the audience.
Speakers from across Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight then shared how their local communities are being supported to take part in research — including how work like RViR helps community members feel confident and able to contribute their perspectives.
We were also joined by Dr Alison Austin from NHS England’s Innovation, Research, Life Sciences and Transformation Strategy Group. Dr Austin shared insight into national research priorities and the broader impact of programmes like the Research Engagement Network.
The event concluded with the announcement of our poster winners and a reminder from Matthew Winnington, Co-Chair of the ICP, of the collective purpose that unites us: improving the health and wellbeing of people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
What Happens Next?
We’re excited to keep building on the momentum from the Assembly — including:
- A short highlights video featuring reflections from several of our speakers is available here. https://youtu.be/8lIwvXLY-0g
- Winning posters and photos from the event will be showcased on our social media channels and the ICB website. https://www.hantsiow.icb.nhs.uk/improving-together/research-and-innovation/research-assembly
- In the new year, Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB are hosting an open impact session to share feedback from the event and explore next steps.
And of course, the conversation continues through initiatives like the RViR Research Collaborative — a space where VCSE organisations, community members, and researchers can keep learning from and with each other.
A Big Thank You
Thank you once again to everyone who helped make the inaugural Research Assembly such a success. This event was about more than presentations and posters — it was about people, relationships, and voices coming together to shape a better future for health and care research.
If you’d like to connect about our assemblies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please email [email protected].
For research-specific enquiries, contact [email protected].