The Power Of Us: Collaborative Research in Health, Social Care & Wellbeing

Do you want to: 

• Represent communities and community perspectives in your research projects? 

• Find out about community researchers and how they can be involved in your work? 

• Work more effectively with your local communities? 

• Get community input on a new idea for a project? 

Then join us at “The Power of Us: Collaborative Research in Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing” - set to take place from 9:30am – 4:30pm on 9th April 2025 at Birmingham City Football Club. This event will introduce you to community research techniques, key contacts, potential funding streams and more. 

What to Expect 

The event will bring together 150 people from across Birmingham and Solihull from all sectors who are involved in or are passionate about participatory research. On the day you will hear a variety of keynote speeches, presentations and panels featuring individuals involved in impactful participatory research initiatives, including: 

• Citizens serving as community researchers or panel members in Birmingham and Solihull. 

• Representatives from across the public and voluntary sectors. 

• Academic researchers. 

• Detroit Urban Research Centre, sharing an international perspective of community research. 

Workshops 

Additionally, throughout the event you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a variety of workshops, including sessions that will: 

• Share good practice. 

• Build new skills and experiences. 

• Introduce you to new capacity-building opportunities and support. 

The event will also launch our new online Community Hub for Engagement in Research Practice and provide opportunities for you to meet and connect with like-minded people. 

How to Register 

Register below by Friday 7 March 2025 to attend this free event, which will include refreshments and lunch. Places are limited and are offered on a first come first served basis. 

For Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations with a turnover of under £50,000 that may find it cost-prohibitive to come to this event, we can offer you £150 to support your attendance. 

In the coming weeks we will provide further details to all registered attendees, including the full event programme. Meanwhile, please do not hesitate to contact our colleagues by emailing [email protected] if you have any questions or queries. 

The event is being led by BVSC, in collaboration with Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s (BCHC) Community Connexions, Flourish WM, Catalyst 4 Change, the University of Birmingham, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands and NIHR Midlands Patient Safety Research Collaboration. 

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Birmingham City Football Club, Cattell Road, Birmingham, United Kingdom