Reach Learning Disability

Overview

Area(s) of interest:

Health-inequalities| learning disabilities

We would welcome opportunities to work with researchers whose work aligns with our values and aims to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. We value genuine co-production and encourage researchers to involve people with lived experience throughout the whole research process. We are particularly interested in research that has the potential to improve practice, influence policy or lead to positive outcomes for people with learning disabilities. We are also interested in research opportunities around the health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities. We are keen to understand more about how to support adults with learning disabilities as they age and their needs change.

Additional information

Location: Nottinghamshire, England

England| Nottinghamshire

Rural communities and areas of high socioeconomic deprivation in Nottinghamshire

Mode of working: Hybrid, preferred face-to-face

Although some people can take part in research online/remotely, some of our community experience digital exclusion. Face to face interactions tend to work best and we have found that people are often more relaxed in familiar settings so if researchers are able to visit us in person, at one of our Day Centres, this can be helpful.

Research experience: Yes

Notes:

We took part in the ‘Take the Lead’ programme at HDR UK and ran a project called ‘Steps to Wellbeing.’

In addition, we have taken part in research projects with NIHR and the University of Nottingham. Here’s a link to a blog on the NIHR website about one of our projects Learning Disability Safe Space Cafés: creating spaces where people feel able to share, learn and be heard — NIHR School for Primary Care Research

We also took part in a project called Empower (Empowering adults with learning disabilities to participate in research) with the University of Nottingham Empower – The University of Nottingham and a project about falls prevention RfPB AWL Action Falls – summary

Type of involvement: Co-production

Co-Production

Notes:

We value genuine co-production and encourage researchers to involve people with lived experience throughout the whole research process.

Availability: Usually Monday-Friday 10-3 and occasional Saturdays

Expenses:

Please offer reimbursement to participants for their time and any expenses incurred.

Our comments to researchers:

We would ask researchers to ensure that information is provided in an accessible Easy Read format and that sufficient time is allowed to support people with learning disabilities to participate in research.

Researchers should make their work accessible, inclusive and genuinely coproduced. They should involve people early on and use clear, easy read information, allowing time for decisions and discussion and be flexible about how people take part. Researchers should explain the purpose of the research clearly, listen to people’s views, recognise their lived experience and offer payment or appropriate recognition for their time whenever possible.

As a busy charity, we appreciate early conversations about involvement and clear communication around project aims, timescales, expectations and any funding available to support our involvement. People with learning disabilities often need support from people they know well to be able to meaningfully participate in research.