Over 50 schools sign up for groundbreaking health research programme
6th September 2022
Northwest London Schools Research Network
Listen to Act plays central role in recruiting a diverse range of over 50 schools from across Northwest London
The North West London Schools Research Network is a first-of-its-kind programme, working to tackle the physical and mental health burden on schoolchildren through research in school settings, using innovative practices for all.
Key collaborators include Imperial College London, National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Northwest London and NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Northwest London.
The main aim of the network is to improve the health of school children by building new knowledge, bridging gaps in research, applying knowledge to practice, and sharing learning across the network.
Listen to Act was commissioned by NIHR to with recruiting schools to the network, facilitate the rollout of relevant studies, and build relationships to form a deeper understanding of the dynamics within each school that can help to inform future studies. Our goal is to create a supportive and sustainable network with a focus on upskilling those involved, and providing real-time support.
What we´ve achieved so far
Listen to Act has played a central role in recruiting a diverse range of over 50 schools from across Northwest London. That’s almost 42,000 young people aged from 3-19.
In total, 7 research studies have been offered to schools and Listen to Act have acted as a facilitator between the schools and the researchers
We have been involved in creating network newsletters
We are currently working to convene a steering group of members to discuss the feasibility of potential new studies, feedback on their involvement with current studies, discuss network events that could be relevant, and to create a safe space to discuss health and wellbeing topics.
Listen to Act has also had 1-1 conversations with over 5 schools to establish specific need and it is through these conversations that the steering group has been earmarked as a priority for the network.
The insights that have been received will be used to shape future research and to ensure that the collective and individual experience of network members is optimal. This project is the first of its kind so insights will be used to shape future school networks in other areas and help to inform policy making and provision for health and wellbeing in schools.
If you have any questions about this work, please email Alex at alex@listentoact.org