Who’s doing what? What can we share? Where are the opportunities? What can we achieve together?

We are pleased to invite colleagues from across health, social care, local government, academia, and the voluntary sector to an interactive Research Café focused on strengthening connections across our wider research community.

The session responds to the growing role of research and evaluation as the NHS continues to shift towards prevention, neighbourhood health and integrated models of care. It will create space to consider how research can help us understand what works, reduce inequalities, and improve outcomes for the populations we serve.

About the event

This event will bring together colleagues from community health services, Integrated Care Boards, local authorities, public health, higher education institutions, Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs), research practitioners, education leads and other system partners.

Whether you are leading research, supporting delivery, developing new ideas, supporting others, or looking to get started, the café will provide a practical and collaborative space to share learning, explore current activity, and identify where there are opportunities to work together.

What you will get out of the event

• A clearer picture of the research already taking place across different settings.
• Practical examples of how organisations are embedding research into everyday practice.
• Insight from colleagues with established research programmes, including what has helped them build capacity and capability.
• Time to explore how research can support neighbourhood health, prevention, service transformation and new models of care.
• Opportunities to identify shared priorities, future collaborations and potential funding ideas.
• A better understanding of the support available to develop research ideas and build partnerships.
• Space to discuss how research findings can be shared, used and put into practice.

What to expect

• Facilitated small‑group exercises.
• Real examples and case studies.
• Access to practical tools, guides, and further resources.

Who should attend

Colleagues from community health services, Integrated Care Boards, local authorities, public health, higher education institutions, Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs), research practitioners, education leads and other system partners ready to connect share and learn to grow research across the system.

Facilitator:

Kat Brown

Associate Director of Research Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, Co Community Settings Lead Research Delivery Network South London

Key takeaways

By the end of the session, you will leave with:

• New connections.
• Insights and visibility to research and the initiatives, and strategies that are underway to grow research.
• Identified opportunities to share, adopt and scale up.
• Time to discuss next steps.

About South West London Research Support Network

The South West London (SWL) Research Support Network, established by the NHS South West London Integrated Care System, is a collaborative initiative to empower local communities and voluntary organisations to conduct their own research.

Through a series of relaxed network meetings, members can engage in mutual learning opportunities with a diverse group of researchers and community members. This informal setting encourages open dialogue and the sharing of ideas, making it easier to turn insights into various research methodologies and best practices.

In addition to exchanging knowledge with experienced community members and researchers, members will also have the chance to network with peers, which can lead to the formation of collaborative relationships and partnerships that leverage the strengths and expertise of all involved.

Find out more on the South West London Research Support Network page.

Register for your free place