Our vision is to transform the research culture and infrastructure across the Council so that the work we do is evidence-informed, robustly evaluated, and reflects the needs and values of our local communities.
This will build on the Stronger Sandwell approach where we:
- Build on Sandwell’s Strengths – its communities – we do our work with local people, not to them.
- Focus on projects run by local people, for local people.
- Ensure nobody is left behind – focusing on those facing the biggest life challenges, for example the oldest and youngest members of our community and those living with disabilities or in financial hardship.
We are developing four areas of work to achieve our goals:
- Improving the skills of the staff at Sandwell Council and improving how we carry out research. This includes training on how to carry out new research, identify existing research and establish how good the research is. We will design systems to ensure that any research we do is good quality and meets the guidelines set out by national government.
- Turning research into action so it makes real change to people’s lives. Planning and delivering services in a way that is informed by the latest research.
- Working with other organisations to carry out and use research, and creating one system to hold all the information that we collect. This will allow us to see how one area (e.g. crime) can influence another area (e.g. mental health).
- Ensuring the research undertaken is informed by our residents and community groups. This will be shaped by existing meetings such as the monthly meetings Sandwell Council hold with a variety of organisations and members of the public. It will also help us to choose the research we focus on so it creates the biggest benefit to Sandwell.
HDRC Programme Timeline
The work undertaken by the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) of Sandwell is within four key workstreams.
Workstream 1: Capacity & Infrastructure
Building Skills and Tools for Better Decisions
Helping council staff improve their research skills and build tools they need to make good decisions based on facts.
Key Activities:
- Training programmes to improve research and evaluation skills
- Making data systems to help with decisions
- Setting clear rules and guidelines for ethical research
Workstream 2: Culture & Evidence-Informed Practice
Using Research in Everything We Do
Helping the council use research and facts every day, so each department can use data to plan programmes and spending.
Key Activities:
- Looking at how the council is using research now
- Giving everyone access to the newest research in all departments
- Using the best ways to make sure decisions are based on evidence
Workstream 3: Systems & Partnerships
Working with partners to make a bigger difference
We are working with universities, healthcare providers, and other councils to build strong partnerships that help us learn from each other and work together.
Key Activities:
- Working together with universities and local partners
- Building ways to work with important partners
- Making agreements to share information, ideas, and good ways of working
Workstream 4: Community Participation
Listening to Local Voices
Putting community involvement first at every step, making sure that people’s feedback and ideas help us set our goals and guide our projects. By reaching out and listening, we’re creating a research culture based on what the community values and cares about.
Key Activities:
- Getting more people involved in making research decisions
- Making it easy for people to share what matters most about their health
- Sharing research findings that help the whole community
Join Us on This Journey
If you’d like to get involved or learn more, reach out to us at Sandwell_HDRC@sandwell.gov.uk
Let’s work together to make informed choices for a healthier future! Better Research for Better Health!