Voices for Research: What About Me?
Voices for Research has been about one simple question: what about me?
This project has been supported through the Research Engagement Network (REN), a regional programme working across Humber and North Yorkshire to increase public involvement in health and care research. REN focuses on reaching communities who are often underrepresented, helping to build trust, improve understanding, and ensure research reflects the people it is designed to serve.
Across Whitby and the surrounding villages, we’ve worked with people whose voices are often missing from these conversations. Through conversation, storytelling and creative practice, the project has created space for people to share experiences, ask questions, and explore what research means in their own lives.
The work began with supported storytelling sessions. People came together, often over a cup of tea, to talk openly about health, care, and their experiences of research. For many, this was the first time they had been invited into these conversations in a way that felt accessible and relevant.
From this, we co-created a series of short digital stories and a podcast programme, which has been brought together into two archive podcasts, creating a lasting record of these voices and experiences. These stories are shared in people’s own words, reflecting the realities, challenges and insights that sit behind research.
We shared the work through two public events at Flowergate Hall and The Common Room. These created space for discussion, where people met researchers, asked questions, and spoke honestly about trust, representation and participation. Once people heard voices that felt familiar, the conversation opened up quickly and with confidence.
The project engaged over 100 people directly, with many more accessing the work online. People spoke about a stronger understanding of research and a greater sense that their experiences matter within it.
The films and podcasts are available for use by community groups, VCSE partners and REN Champions, and this collection will continue to grow over the coming months. This means the work continues to support conversations and engagement beyond the life of the project. If you’d like to know more about this work, explore the stories, or find out how to get involved in health and care research locally, you can contact the team at flashcompanyarts@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you.
This project has shown that when people are listened to properly, research becomes more visible, more relevant, and more connected to everyday life. It becomes something people recognise as part of their world, and something they can shape.
Be Part of Research – Why not sign up today
https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/join(External link)
Be Part of Research is a free UK-wide service run by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It connects people with opportunities to participate in health and care research studies across the UK.
What It Offers
- Personalised Study Matching: By registering and providing basic information—such as age, location, and health interests—you can be matched to relevant studies and receive details directly via email.
- Inclusive Participation: Both individuals with health conditions and healthy volunteers are encouraged to take part.
- Diverse Research Opportunities: Participants can engage in various types of research, including online surveys, clinical trials, and studies conducted at hospitals, GP surgeries, or even from home.
- Educational Resources: The platform provides information to help you understand what health and care research entails and what to expect when participating in a study.
- Alternative Ways to Contribute: If direct participation isn’t suitable, you can support research by becoming a Research Champion, helping to raise awareness about health and care research.
Why Participate?
Engaging in research contributes to advancements in medical treatments and care practices, benefiting current and future generations.