Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Research Engagement Network (REN) programme
In addition to high diabetes prevalence, Luton has 24% of neighbourhoods in the 20% most deprived areas in England. These groups are typically under-served by health and care research.[2]
Healthwatch Luton are working with NIHR Clinical Research Network East of England (CRN EoE), Diabetes UK, BLMK Integrated Care Board and Health Innovation East, as part of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Research Engagement Network (REN) programme, to understand the barriers that stop people in less represented communities taking part in health and care research.
It is important that research is inclusive of less represented communities, to help improve awareness and understanding of how a group responds to or engages with healthcare interventions and improve access to and awareness of the right care and support.
As part of this programme, six Luton residents have been trained to become Diabetes and Research Champions. They have received training from the CRN and Diabetes UK as well as participated in an Action Planning Workshop run by Healthwatch Luton on the 30th November, discussing ways to help promote diabetes research to the wider community and how to carry out engagement work to understand the barriers that stop people in their community taking part in research.
The champions are planning a Diabetes Research Roadshow next year to understand their community's views towards health and social care research and to support people to participate in diabetes research.
