We take a multi-strategy approach to public involvement, recognizing that different communities engage in different ways.
We do this by actively engaging with communities in accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive ways by meeting in familiar spaces, building trust through meaningful conversations, and using creative approaches like arts and physical activities to make research more relatable.
Our work falls into these key engagement strategies:
Arts-based approach to health research
We use creative activities to bring people together, making discussions about health more engaging, and encouraging participation in research.
- Dance and Health Project – Running across Leicestershire, these sessions combine Bollywood and dance fitness with conversations about health. After an hour of dancing, participants have a short discussion about health and research, allowing them to share their thoughts in a fun and informal setting.
Culture & Community Engagement
Working with diverse communities in familiar spaces to build trust, encourage dialogue, and make research relevant to their everyday lives.
- Our Public Research Champions – In 2026 we welcomed our new Public Research Champions (PRCs) to an open day and site tour at Glenfield Hospital. Our Public Research Champions are members of the public who bring the representation of their communities into health research, supporting the work of our Public Involvement team. We’ll be inviting them to share their lived experiences, highlight priorities from their communities, and help our researchers design studies that are inclusive, accessible and relevant to real life. We also hope the champions can help raise awareness of our research within their communities, support engagement activities, and act as a bridge between researchers and the people our research is designed to benefit.
- Nigerian Breakfast Café, Northampton – A welcoming space where people gather over food and conversation, this café has become a key venue for health discussions. BRC researchers regularly attend to share insights and listen to the community’s health concerns:
- Nigerian Community Group Engagement – We attend sessions with the Nigerian community in Northampton, providing an opportunity for researchers to connect with the community and discuss relevant health topics.
Social & wellbeing activities
We create informal and welcoming spaces for conversations about health and research.
- Zinthiya Trust Coffee Mornings – Held on the first Thursday of every month at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, these events connect people with local nonprofits, including Leicester Police, PA Housing, and BNCHA. The BRC hosts a regular stall where community members can stop by, ask questions, and find out how they can get involved in research.
- Indoor activities at Green Pastures Church – On the first Saturday of each month, we host a community session for the Afro-Caribbean community with activities like table tennis, pool, and Jenga.
Strategy
You can read more about our Public Involvement approach for 2022 – 2028 in the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Clinical Research Facility (CRF) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for 2022 – 2028.
Glossary
If you are confused by any of the terms we have used, this glossary may be useful. It includes definitions of some of the more specialised language and acronyms used in the health research sector.