Raise York Research Network

Raise York is a network of people, places and online support which supports children, young people and families from pregnancy to adulthood. Raise York brings together children, young people, families, communities and professionals so everyone can get the connections, help and support they want and need.

The Raise York Research Network is a collaboration between the Raise York Partnership (all those working with children and families in the city of York) and academics working in Higher Education Institutions. The network aims to develop research opportunities within ‘Business as Usual’ activities

The network meets twice a year (in person with a virtual option available) to explore areas of mutual interest and opportunities for collaboration. Examples of successful partnerships have included collaborating on specific grant funding opportunities; establishing connections to build relationships that enable quick response to short notice opportunities; and the involvement of under- and post- graduate students to support research, increasing capacity and providing valuable supported real-world experience.

Raise York Research Network priorities and approach

The network aims to develop research that benefits children, young people and families in York, research that has clear and tangible short-, medium- and long-term benefits for children and young people in York. The network creates space where academics, practitioners and policy makers can meet to jointly identify and develop research proposals and approaches that respond directly to communities' needs. By working collaboratively across sectors the network aims to facilitate access to resources and funding, enable researcher to identify the most relevant contacts and support the development of research approaches that enable mutual benefit, making effective and ethical use of existing networks in the City.

The Raise Research Network seeks to incubate research that aligns with the Raise outcomes and priorities which are set out below.

Raise York’s 5 key outcomes are:

1. increased knowledge - through knowing where to access the right support, and information
2. increased confidence - through feeling accepted in a non-judgemental way
3. increased resilience - through access to the right support and resources
4. reduced isolation - through access to child and parent activities
5. increase in social networks - (sense of belonging)

Raise York’s 6 priority areas are:

1. infant feeding
2. perinatal mental health and parent/carer-infant relationships
3. healthy weight in under 5's
4. communication and language skills
5. children and young people’s mental health
6. financial inclusion

Progress so far

• 4 meetings attended by 24 academics from 5 regional institutions
• 7 research proposals submitted
• 2 active research projects
• 4 projects in development
• evaluation framework developed
• pilot of co-produced student research proposals and dissertation projects

What our partners say

Prof Garry Tew, Director of the Institute for Health and Care Improvement, York St John University, said:

The Raise York Research Network offers good opportunities for university researchers to collaborate with a range of partners who deliver services for children, young people and parents across the city. York St John University’s Institute for Health and Care Improvement is pleased to be working with Raise York and to support this collaboration on ongoing evaluation and improvement.

Alex Kenyon, AHP Team Manager, York and Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust, said:

The Raise York Research Network has created valuable opportunities for collaboration between the Trust and researchers, helping us to better understand the experiences and outcomes of the families we support. Working alongside academic partners has given us new insights and enabled us to improve our offer while making the best use of the resources we have.

Dr Matt Green, York St John University research team member, said:

The Poverty Proofing © local area evaluation is a collaboration between York Schools Forum, Children North East and York St John University. It is an excellent example of the collaborative approach promoted by the Raise York Research Network, bringing together schools, researchers, and strategic partners in York seeking to identify resources to develop, deliver and evaluate interventions that could improve experiences and outcomes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Join the Raise York Research Network

The Raise York Research Network aims to meet twice each year. Any researchers interested in hearing more about our work or developing projects are welcome.

For more information about the Raise York Research Network contact Carole Pugh on email: [email protected]