WBI Community Researchers Ms. Fatma Tuylu and Ms. Anita David attended the Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) training in Oxford on 23rd October, hosted by the Scottish Community Development Centre, the University of Reading and NHS England South East, Workforce Training and Education.
Following the successful CPAR 1 (2022-2023) and CPAR 2 (2023-2024) programs, which focused on the impact of COVID-19 and the cost of living respectively, CPAR 3 research projects will highlight health inequalities in various communities.
These community-led action research programmes are part of NHS’s long-term plans to reduce health inequalities by working with communities and local authorities, influencing multi-agency actions and addressing inequalities in healthcare provision.
Community Participatory Action Research projects are the best way to share the stories about issues affecting our communities. To make policy makers and organisations think about the problems faced by hard-to-reach communities. This way we are part of the solution.
-Anita David
During the introductory session, the researchers were encouraged to reflect on their understanding of their own communities and their roles as community researchers. The impact of Participatory Action Research and the importance of the CPAR 3 theme, Health Inequalities, were discussed in detail.
Each aspect of the CPAR 3 journey was explained, and the researchers were reassured of the support available at every step. It was also a great opportunity to connect with other community researchers from Hampshire-based organisations during the networking session.
At the end of this collaborative training, the researchers will develop a research project to highlight some of the issues faced by their communities regarding health inequalities. In September 2025, the community researchers will present key findings from their research projects to promote insights and share outcomes with a wide range of stakeholders.
Huge thanks to the funders, NHS England South East, Workforce Training and Education, and collaborators: the Scottish Community Development Centre, the University of Reading, and IVAR (Institute for Voluntary Action Research).
