Partners
Raising Voices in Research (RViR) is delivered by a partnership of organisations: Action Hampshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, and Engaging Communities Research Centre University of Winchester.
A total of 25 voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations have been involved in the different phases of RViR.
Read on to find out more about the partners and participating VCSE organisation.
Our Partners
Action Hampshire
Action Hampshire is an infrastructure organisation that supports Hampshire’s VCSE sector to thrive. Action Hampshire supports VCSE organisations across the county and beyond with information, peer networking and support, amplification, insight and voice. Our mission is to strengthen and connect VCSEs; promote and support community-led and place-based action; and champion diversity, challenging inequality and disadvantage. Action Hampshire are the lead co-ordinator for RViR.
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS NHS FT)
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest acute teaching trusts in England. It is consistently one of the highest recruiting trusts of patients to clinical trials and in the top ten nationally for research study volume. RViR is supported by specialists from the Trust’s Southampton Centre for Research Engagement and Impact.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (HIOW ICB) – We are here for our population. We have over 1.9m people living across Hampshire and Isle of Wight and our purpose is to ensure they are getting the best possible healthcare for their needs throughout their lives.
We were formed in 2022 as a new NHS statutory body as part of national changes to how the NHS works to lead and oversee the planning and delivery of strategic and operational priorities, the allocation of NHS resources, and the performance, quality and safety of services across Hampshire and Isle of Wight. We do this with the aim of improving the health and healthcare outcomes of our local communities, by working with NHS England and local NHS providers, local authorities and other partners as part of an ‘Integrated Care System’.
The Engaging Communities Research Centre (ECRC) University of Winchester
The Engaging Communities Research Centre (ECRC), based in the Department of Psychology at the University of Winchester, is the academic partner for Raising Voices in Research. The broad aim of the ECRC to conduct and apply psychological research that addresses real-world challenges facing individuals, groups, and communities. Our researchers have expertise in developing meaningful community involvement and engagement approaches, in social connectedness and participation, and improving individuals, groups and organisational wellbeing. Our work has been funded by a range of organisations, including NHS, UK National and Local Government, and commercial organisations. We have strong collaborative partnerships with communities, the voluntary and community sector, health organisations and structures, local government, and key stakeholders. As a result, our research is informed, owned, and used by our partners, feeding into collaborative research agendas, the development of interventions and solutions, and regional, national, and international policy agendas.
Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise organisations involved in Raising Voices in Research:
Yellow Brick Road Projects
Yellow Brick Road Projects is a charity based in Andover, Hampshire, that works with young people aged 35 and under. Their vision is to empower young people to build a stable foundation for their future and inspire them to navigate life’s challenges in a way that leads them towards stability and success. They also aim to reduce the impact of poverty, the risk of homelessness, and feelings of loneliness. The charity provides young people with a compassionate safe space where they can develop essential life skills in key areas such as finance, home matters, health and wellbeing, careers and relationships.
Yellow Door offers a wide range of specialist therapeutic, support and prevention services to anyone at risk from or affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence/abuse or other forms of interpersonal harm. They also provide a small number of specialist services to those affected by or at risk from discrimination and disadvantage. In addition, Yellow Door deliver education and prevention work in educational and community settings. Many of their services are provided from their central premises in Southampton, but they also operate in other areas and remotely where possible.
Work Better Innovations
Work Better Innovations is a social enterprise on a mission to support an inclusive and sustainable economy. They are based in Portsmouth, but their work also has a global reach. Their mission is focussed on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. WBI help the private sector, civil societies, governments and international institutions create tangible and sustainable solutions for a more responsible economy, whilst also working with local partners to help them be part of an inclusive and sustainable economy. They have also undertaken specialist research and projects with clients to build ethical supply chains worldwide. As a Community Interest Company, WBI channel the profits from their consultancy work into their community service work.
Winchester GoLD
Winchester Go LD enables adults with learning disabilities to live life to the full through the free support they offer in the Winchester area. They have a range of weekly and monthly activities promoting self-development, friendship, self-confidence, creativity and learning. In addition, the charity aims to raise awareness, promote the rights of people with learning disabilities, change attitudes and influence policy.
Vision 4 Youth
Vision 4 Youth is a charity based in Yateley, Hampshire, that provides youth clubs and services for young people in the local community and surrounding areas. The charity acts as a resource to support people aged 11-25 by providing advice, guidance and assistance. Through their projects, Vision 4 Youth helps young people develop skills that enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals. In addition, they provide work opportunities, experience and training to people from the local community.
The Society of St James
The Society of St James is a Southampton-based homelessness charity, providing a range of supported living services in Southampton, Portsmouth and across Hampshire. Their goal is to help vulnerable people change their lives, who may be experiencing homelessness, problems with alcohol and substance use, or mental health problems. They also run social enterprise projects that provide a valuable benefit to the local community, as well as volunteering opportunities and work placements for vulnerable people.