Less top down, more alongside - how closer collaboration with VCFSE organisations is transforming the way research is designed and delivered in Somerset
At Spark Somerset, we strengthen the VCFSE sector by connecting organisations with each other and statutory partners, ensuring their knowledge and expertise help shape services and initiatives like the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), a five-year NIHR-funded programme aimed at tackling local health inequalities through community-led research.
In some parts of Somerset, some people live up to ten years less than others. Differences in health and life expectancy aren’t just about personal choices, they’re influenced by what we call ‘the building blocks of health’, one of which is employment.
Understanding this link, Breaking Barriers, delivered by HDRC partners, set out to explore what helps or hinders people living with a disability or long-term health condition to find and remain in work.
Our Research Manager, Olly Clabburn, played a key role in designing and delivering the project, taking an innovative, community participatory approach. This included establishing a Community Organisation Advisory Partnership (COAP), a Lived Experience Advisory Partnership (LEAP), and working with 13 community co-research organisations.
Involving the right people from the beginning
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Rather than seeking feedback at the end, organisations and individuals were involved throughout the study. Community groups helped shape the process, inform the questions being asked, and contribute to the conversations that followed.
Joseph Olubodun, representing Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Service (SDAS), participated as a member of the Community Organisation Advisory Partnership and community co-research organisations. His responsibilities emphasised the engagement of peer mentors, volunteers, and service users in the research process.
He noted, “It was crucial that our peer mentors leveraged their lived experiences to encourage participation in the survey, and that service users were afforded the chance to contribute to shaping the questions.”
Joseph also established new relationships across the VCFSE statutory sectors:
“Serving on the panel enabled me to develop connections with other partners, presenting opportunities that extend beyond the duration of the project.”
Joseph Olubodun, Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Service
The project also impacted SDAS’ organisational practices, influencing their approach to collecting feedback and decision-making within SDAS: “Co-production is now an integral component of my survey methodology; early involvement of stakeholders is essential.” Joseph explained.
This insight is already guiding his broader review of SDAS, with an enhanced commitment to engaging service users and peer mentors from the outset.
Continuing the conversations
Matt Laughton, Operations Manager at Ark at Egwood, is also a member of the COAP and a Community Co-research Organisation. He described how the impact of Breaking Barriers has been felt by the people his organisation supports:
“I think the findings reflect what our attendees already feel about the barriers they face. It’s good to have that confirmed.”
While the findings themselves weren’t unexpected, participation resulted in something valuable in its own right – a space for people to talk openly about their experiences.
“The whole process has been really useful in starting conversations about how we can support our attendees on their journey. Just having that forum to talk about barriers, and how to overcome them, has started to build their resilience.”
“The experience has influenced our own thinking regarding about how we can further support attendees to overcome barriers and spend time building confidence with partner organisations, for example through the new Bridges to Wellbeing project.”
Building better relationships
For Samantha Norris from Chard Watch CIC, her involvement as a Community Co-research Organisation highlighted the value of working closely with statutory partners.
“It was great to work with the Council team. The relationship we built was really positive. We bring different expertise… and that makes for a strong partnership.”
Jane Doe, Manager
Being part of the project also led to a shift in how some participants they see their organisation’s role within the wider “system”. As Joseph explained:
“The Council is a big organisation, and they may not always realise the value we can add. For me, it’s about making sure we put ourselves forward and get involved.”
This shift is an important outcome. It reflects growing confidence across the VCFSE sector, not only in the value it brings, but in its role in shaping decisions that affect local communities.
What next
Project partner and Public Health Specialist at Somerset Council, Frederick Marais, highlighted how central this contribution has been to the project:
“LEAPs, COAPs and Community Co-Research Organisations were placed at the centre of the work, helping to ensure that local voices shaped both the approach and the findings. This has led to practical outcomes, including recommendations for employers, tools to support communities to get involved in research, and the HDRC community grants.
“This way of working moves away from seeing communities as passive recipients of research and instead recognises them as equal partners in action-driven change that benefits local people.”
Our Research Manager Olly Clabburn, added:
“VCFSEs weren’t just ‘added on’ – they helped shape and steer the project from the start, contributing local insight and constructively challenging.
“It’s a different way of doing research – less top-down, more alongside- and that’s what makes it feel so much more meaningful and grounded in real Somerset experiences.”
Olly Clabburn, Research Manager
The ripple effects of involvement in the project are already being felt far beyond its original scope.
Earlier this year, following their involvement as a COAP panel member and co-research organisation, Edventure Frome secured an HDRC community grant explore how volunteering and ‘micro-jobs’ can support people who face barriers to traditional employment
Alongside this, Edventure also received £40,000 from Somerset Community Foundation to trial tailored support for disabled entrepreneurs through its Enterprising Together programme.
As their Co-Executive Director, Dr Sam Evans explains: “Together, these strands of work will help build a clearer picture of how volunteering, learning and enterprise can act as bridges into meaningful paid work, supporting more people to overcome the barriers holding them back and participate more fully in community and economic life.”
Interested in research and how we’re supporting community voices to shape it? Get in touch.
