On their visit they were given a warm welcome by Innovation Zone’s partners in the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership(CNP). The CHA team were able to give the CNP an update and discuss the valuable research they are participating in.

Over the past two years the Common Health Assets research team have been working in partnership with 15 community led organisations (CLOs) across the UK (including the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership) to gather data using realist evaluation methodology to ask: what works, for whom, under what circumstances?

The picture of evidence is taking shape, featuring themes such as empowerment, social connection, co-production, knowledge and skills for wellbeing, as well as a sense of belonging and purpose. These positives sit alongside the more challenging concepts of increasingly scarce resource allocation, complex physical, emotional and social needs, short term contracts that impact on staff capacity and retention, as well as the very real potential offered by meaningful partnerships and integrated care systems.

The team, based in Glasgow, Belfast, Bournemouth and London is led by Professor Rachel Baker, Director of the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health in Glasgow Caledonian University. To develop realist programme theories about what works for whom, in what circumstances, data collection has included photography workshops, a longitudinal survey, workshops, Q-sort methods, and participant interviews, on a range of topics.  As well as exploring the ways in which CLOs impact on health and wellbeing, they are investigating the factors that influence financial sustainability and questions related to scaling up service provision. The work is overseen and influenced by an active and dedicated Lived Experience Panel of CLO study participants and volunteers who keep the research team focused on the end goal of making a difference to members of the community.

Over the next few months, they will produce a range of outputs to share the results. Importantly, they have committed to individualised findings and feedback for each of our CLOs involved in the partnership (including CNP). The CHA team are so grateful for the dedication and support from the CLO partners across the UK. The managers, staff and participants of the CLOs continue to share their endless devotion, as do many members of the disadvantaged communities they work in, despite the serious challenges facing the sector, not least the cost-of-living crisis.

Perhaps most importantly, they CHA team are now focused on making sure the evidence is heard and acted upon, to help government, public health funders and CLOs direct resources for maximum impact, to address the effects of societal inequalities on individuals, families and communities. Keep in touch for more results.

Notes

Northern Ireland QUB Common Health Assets Team;

Dr Karen Galway (NI Principal Investigator and Innovation Zones Deputy Director), Dr Liam O’Hare (Innovation Zones Director), Dr Aideen Gildea, Dr Julie McMullan and Ms Jill Mulholland, working in partnership with Ms Annie Armstrong, Colin Neighbourhood Partnership in Belfast, Ms Aileen McGuinness, Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum, and Mr Michéal Mowan at Oak Healthy Living Centre, Lisnaskea.  You can find out more about the Common Health Assets Project on our website, view our photography  galleryalongside blog posts describing what we’ve been up to on this fabulous, messy, insightful, collaborative and enjoyable research journey! For more methodological details, our study protocol is published in BMJ Open.  Connect with us on X/Twitter @AssetsCommon