What was the brief?
We were asked to evaluate the Research Engagement Network Development (REND) project, which aims to increase participation in research, focusing on children and young people’s (CYP) mental health in the North East and North Cumbria.
With £100k of funding, the project sought to understand the causes behind rising referrals and waiting lists for CYP mental health support, and how inequalities affect access to services. Research participation among CYP, especially in rural and disadvantaged areas, was found to be low.
The project aimed to build on existing partnerships between the Integrated Care System (ICS) and voluntary sector organisations (VCSE) to reach and engage more CYP in research. Seven VCSEs took part, working to find the best ways to involve young people in research.
What did we do?
We evaluated the project by interviewing staff from the seven VCSEs, holding a workshop with the REND project team, and gathering feedback from research partners. A workshop in May allowed participants to share insights, and we submitted a final report in June 2024.
What did we find?
The project was a success, leading to additional funding for VONNE to expand the REND project. This next phase will allow us to include more REND partners who were unable to contribute to the first evaluation.
Here’s a quote from Lisa Taylor, Health and Wellbeing Programme Director from VONNE who commissioned the evaluation:
“Working with Involve North East has been a pleasure from start to finish – they grasped the brief immediately, used their expertise to ensure that all areas were covered in detail and exceeded expectations in relation to both content and delivering within deadline. I could not be happier with their input!”
What was the impact?
VCSEs funded in phase 1 will continue working with CYP on mental health research. In the extension phase, we’ll help identify research priorities from CYP’s perspectives and support the development of a REN partners network. This network will help connect VCSEs with researchers. The project is set to finish in autumn 2024, with a final report providing recommendations for future CYP research engagement.
