Get funding to host a conversation with your community about health research.
Working alongside NHS Somerset, we want to understand how people feel about being invited to take part in health or care research through their GP practices and other primary care settings.
We’re looking for 15 community members or local leaders to host a conversation with people they know. The aim is to hear real, grounded views about health research — what people understand, what worries them, and what would help it feel more accessible and relevant.
Through these conversations, we want to:
- Understand what people currently know (or don’t know) about health research
- Explore how people feel about being invited to take part
- Build trust and confidence in how research is explained
- Find better, clearer ways to talk about research so more people can get involved
To help you get involved, we are offering:
- A £25 gift card to cover refreshments
- A payment of £350 as a thank you once learning has been shared
- A full Community Conversation Kit to help you host the discussion
Key dates for your diary:
- Applications close: Sunday 14 December
- Awards announced: Wednesday 24 December
- Conversations take place: January to early February 2026
- Summaries shared by: Friday 20 February 2026
How to apply:
To keep things simple, groups can either complete a short online Expression of Interest (EOI) form or apply by email using this template to maria.heard1@nhs.net.
If you have any questions or would like support with your EOI, feel free to get in touch.
For further information about what hosting a conversation entails, take a look at the Community Conversation Kit.
