Liverpool residents helping build stronger evidence through community voice

Liverpool residents helping build stronger evidence through community voice

Liverpool’s Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) has recently been commended by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for its strong community involvement, dedication to evidence-based policy-making, and successful integration of research within Liverpool City Council. The NIHR’s visit emphasized the city’s novel strategy of actively involving residents in research by cultivating a growing network of Community Researchers. This approach ensures that research priorities are closely aligned with community concerns and that findings directly influence local services and policy development.

Supported by NIHR funding through to December 2028, HDRC Liverpool aims to establish a lasting research culture within the Council, making the use of evidence a standard element of decision-making processes. The program focuses on equipping Council staff with the necessary skills, partnerships, and tools to utilize research effectively, ultimately enhancing policies and services that promote better health and reduce inequalities throughout the city. Rather than functioning as an isolated project, HDRC Liverpool works across Council departments to foster sustainable organizational transformation by building research capacity, encouraging continuous learning, and embedding evidence into daily decision-making.

The NIHR also highlighted the program’s strong commitment to incorporating evaluation from the early stages of projects, appreciating its thorough approach to assessing impact and learning within complex systems. The collaboration between the Council, universities, community groups, and other stakeholders is a key element of HDRC Liverpool’s success, facilitating the translation of research into practical actions that lead to improved outcomes for local residents.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, expressed enthusiasm about the feedback, stating, “It’s incredibly encouraging to receive this positive feedback from NIHR. One of the things we are most proud of is the way local residents are helping to shape research through our Community Researcher programme.” He emphasized the importance of involving communities directly in research to place local voices at the center of decision-making, which in turn helps the Council gain deeper insights into residents’ experiences and make informed choices to enhance lives in Liverpool. Doyle reiterated the aim to extend this work through 2028, embedding evidence-led decision-making as a core principle across the Council’s operations

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