The Raising Voices in Research (RViR) Partners have been given funding to support Kingston Voluntary Action and Kingston University to deliver RViR in Kingston, South West London. Funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research – Regional Research Delivery Network, the ‘Community Voice in Action’ project will also aim to increase diversity in research participation by working with VCSE groups supporting communities in Kingston that are under-represented in health research.
The RViR model, based on The Action Hampshire Way, has been successful in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, supporting over 30 VCSEs and their communities to increase their understanding and awareness of health research, which is leading to improved attitudes towards taking part in research. Therefore, the partners are excited by this new partnership as it provides an opportunity to trial this community engagement method in another geographical area, with different communities.
Nicky Judd, CEO of Action Hampshire, said: “We’re excited to be embarking on this new partnership with Kingston organisations and sharing our approach so that more communities can be meaningfully involved in research.”
Clare Chamberlain, Community Researcher for Kingston Voluntary Action, said “We’re really excited by the amount of interest we’ve had in the programme already and are looking forward to seeing the activities that groups in Kingston develop to discuss health research with their communities and the insights that come from these discussions later in the year.”
RViR Partners will provide regular mentoring throughout the project, as well as providing the RViR materials and supporting Kingston Voluntary Action and Kingston University to adapt these to local communities’ interests and needs. The project is currently accepting applications from Kingston based VCSEs until 13th July. We look forward to working in this partnership and seeing the difference Community Voice in Action makes!