Reaching out to Communities - promoting
equal access to opportunities for public
involvement in research
Aims of the workshop :-
Why do we need to involve a more diverse
population?
What are the barriers which reduce or prevent
access to opportunities for involvement?
How do we overcome these barriers and how do
we involve those that find it more difficult to have
their voice heard?
Why do we need to involve a more
diverse population?
“The body of research evidence
available to policy makers should
reflect the diversity of the population”
“Research [should be] pursued with the
active involvement of service users and
carers ….including those from hard to
reach groups..”
The Research Governance Framework 2005
Why do we need to involve a more
diverse population?
Involve 2012 – Diversity and Inclusion, what’s it about and
why is it important for public involvement in research
“Inclusion is about positively striving to meet
the needs of different people and taking
deliberate action to create environments
where everyone feels respected and able to
achieve their full potential”
Why do we need to involve a more
diverse population?
Involve 2012 – Diversity and Inclusion, what’s it about and
why is it important for public involvement in research
“we often find that those getting involved are the
people who are the easiest to involve “
People who are used to being involved, with
existing connections, free to volunteer their time
and energy, who understand how research
organisations work
White
ethnic
group The usual
suspects
Older
Higher
socio-
ecomomic
class
Why do we need to involve a more
diverse population?
Involve 2012 – Diversity and Inclusion, what’s it about and
why is it important for public involvement in research
“”this creates a mismatch between those most
affected by health and social care services and
those opting to get involved to influence
services and research”
Other Issues
Unwanted voices
Financial barriers
Co
mp
lex i
mp
airm
en
ts
Stigma
Confidence
Inadequate information
Self
est
eem
Upfront costs
Benefit Issues
Tokenism De-valuing service users
Expenses
Group discussion:
How do we overcome these barriers and how
do we involve those that find it more difficult to
have their voice heard?
How do we provide
opportunities for all ?
• Equality Issues - gender , age, ethnicity , culture, sexuality, disability, class
• Where people live – homeless, residential service, prisoners, travellers, rural areas, asylum
seekers
• Communication Issues – deaf/blind, people who don’t communicate verbally, English not
first language, people who don’t read or write, those who don’t use computers or the
internet, jargon
• The nature of Impairments – people with complex and multiple impairments
• Unwanted voices – some views are more welcome than others to health care professionals
• Financial Barriers – upfront costs for travel, meeting preparation, expenses not paid,
benefit issues
• External barriers - De-valuing service users/ tokenism, stigma, confidence and self-
esteem, inadequate information about opportunities
(Beresford 2013 – Beyond the Usual Suspects )
The Barriers
Forum Contact Details
Forum Facilitator:
Melanie Chapman
0161 242 1342
Forum website:
www.northwestpeopleinresearchforum.org
Twitter:
@nwpirf