East Marsh Community Research Network has secured just under £1m funding to combat local social, economic, environmental and health challenges in the region.
The money has been awarded through phase two (the implementation phase) of the Community Research Networks programme, which has been funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and will be delivered by The Young Foundation, a non-profit organisation that specialises in community research and social innovation.
In phase one of the programme (the expression of interest phase), the group received £25k to develop a robust partnership of local organisations, undertake extensive community consultation to ensure the community were receptive to the project and its aims of combatting local challenges, and develop a pilot research project.
Through phase two, the network seeks to empower, train and upskill community members to lead and shape the future of the East Marsh. It will be seeking to influence key stakeholders, decision makers and policymakers to help shape policy, practices, services and behaviours that are central to enhancing life in the community.
Killian Troy-Donovan, Programme Manager at Our Future, said: “We know what is possible when people have space to explore the questions that matter to them, and find solutions that work for the people that will live with them.
“These have often already been developed through years of conversations over breakfast, at the market, in youth clubs, cafes, and pubs. The East Marsh Community Research Network will build on the vast knowledge that exists locally, empowering people who have been exploring these questions for much of their lives.”
Helen Goulden OBE, CEO at The Young Foundation, said: “We know that local communities and citizens understand local needs best, and are fundamental to tackling complex societal issues. Which is why the Community Research Networks programme is so important.
“The insights gained from East Marsh Community Research Network and other local research networks will be vital if we are to work together to tackle some of the persistent and entrenched challenges we face.
“And at a national level, we hope to be actively contributing to a new and evolving infrastructure to support community research across the UK. This is core to The Young Foundation’s strategy, and as delivery partner we are proud to be working alongside UKRI to support this work over the next five years – and beyond.”
The aim of the Community Research Networks programme is to put communities at the heart of research, awarding grants to organisations that are interested in supporting local people across the UK, and working with them to better understand their valuable role in research and innovation. The programme has awarded a total of £8.9m to community networks across the country in this second phase, with an additional £625k awarded in the first phase.
East Marsh Community Research Network includes Foresight North East Lincs , East Marsh United, North East Lincolnshire Council, NSPCC, University of Lincoln, Learning4Life-Gy, Our Future and NEL Health and Care Partnership.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG
