Introducing the REN Community Champion Training

Introducing the REN Community Champion Training

Health and care research is essential for understanding and improving healthcare practices. It helps uncover new insights into diseases, their causes, and potential treatments, informing the health advice and treatments we receive. This research is crucial in advancing healthcare practices, improving patient care, and developing new treatments.

The REN (Research Engagement Network) project aims to make health and care research more inclusive by improving access to research opportunities for diverse communities in Mid and South Essex. By training and supporting community champions, the REN project helps local communities understand the benefits of health research and how to get involved.

Community champions are trained to engage with their communities, gather insights on health and care research views, and identify local information sources. They work with community organisations, leaders, and services to improve access to health and care research. This collaboration ensures that people have better access to research opportunities and are informed about health and care research activities.

The NIHR Clinical Research Network, established by the Department of Health and Social Care, supports this initiative. The network funds research staff, equipment, and facilities, ensuring that research is conducted without diverting funds from health and care services.

The REN project provides free training for community champions, equipping them with the skills needed to promote health and care research in their communities. Champions conduct workshops and interviews, expanding the project’s reach and sharing their findings.

Community partner organisations play a crucial role by supporting the REN project, hosting workshops, and developing action plans to increase research access. This collective effort aims to address health inequalities and ensure that research represents diverse populations.

Join us in making a positive change. For more information on how to get involved, email mseics.getinvolved@nhs.net. Together, we can improve access to health research and contribute to better health outcomes for all.