Welcome to the Cumberland HDRC March update!
We have developed a new local versus national performance report that provides an important evidence base for understanding how Cumberland is performing across our priority research areas. Putting together multiple publicly available indicators and benchmarking them at a local, regional and national level shows us where outcomes are strong, where disparities persist, and where more investigation is needed. By comparing all the evidence, we have a strong baseline that can inform future research, guide decision making and support us in delivering the biggest impact for our communities.
We will be making the report available on the Cumbria Observatory 'HDRC' section so watch this space.
Cumberland Council has published The Big Question: Understanding Suicide in Cumberland, a major new report which brings together local data and lived experience to better understand suicide, self-harm, and support needs across the area.The report was commissioned by Cumberland Council in response to concerns that suicide rates in Cumberland were higher than the national average, and to better understand local patterns, risk factors, and support needs.
The findings are based on a large local survey of more than 800 residents, most of whom had been personally affected by suicide. Additional insight came from interviews and focus groups with people who had experienced suicidal distress, been bereaved by suicide, or supported others in crisis.
The report was funded by the NDA, supported by our HDRC, and carried out in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University.
We've had fantastic feedback from our first sessions of our research skills 2026 programme. From 'Very engaging, enjoyable and informative, thank you!' to 'Jae-Llane is brilliant, her knowledge and enthusiasm brings everything to life!', you will find a range of interactive, hands on sessions to guide you through your research journey.
No research background necessary, this is about building on the skills you use every day like asking good questions, gathering insights, learning from what’s already out there and turning this into impactful outcomes.
Our training is open to all Cumberland Council staff, elected members, and community organisations.
Book now
Cumberland Council staff can find us on iLearn under Professional Skills: Research, Evidence, Evaluation and Learning
Community organisations can find us on our Eventbrite
In April, our new research groups will meeting for their launch event. These are our communities of practice that focus on four broad research areas:
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Mental Health, substance use and neurodiversity
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Pathways to education and employment
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Children and children cared for
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Poverty, housing, obesity and food insecurity
The groups are made up of academic staff, Cumberland council staff, the Community Co-Researcher team and community organisations. Each group is aiming to define some key research questions, and jointly apply for funding and/or grants as a research project team and then working together to deliver the projects over the year.
This joint project between the University of Cumbria, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust and Cumberland HDRC, led by Dr. Elaine Bidmead (Senior Research Fellow at UoC) and Barry Carruthers (Senior Operational Analyst at NCIC) is currently in the ethics and design phase.
The team is currently submitting an ethics application to the HRA (Health Research Authority) to start data collection and analysis later this year. As part of the early stages of the project, the team is also carrying out a rapid evidence review looking at nationally available evidence on the impact of rurality and income on cancer outcomes. We are also working closely with patient co-investigators and the Macmillan teams based at North Cumbria Integrated Care, to ensure participant safety and proper public involvement in the design and execution of the research.
We will be aiming to present some initial or review findings at the HDRC Annual event, so stay tuned for more regular updates!
Open to any member of the workforce of ARCNWC partner organisations.
These internships provide up to £6,000 in funding to support time release from your usual role, allowing you to dedicate up to one day a week over the next year to a research project you design, with expert supervision and support from experienced researchers.
Whether you’re just starting out with research or looking to build your experience, this internship gives you space to explore a topic that matters to you and aligns with your organisation’s priorities. You’ll benefit from:
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Protected time and funding, so your employer is compensated while you focus on research;
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Hands-on project experience under the supervision of researchers from an ARC NWC Higher Education partner;
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Training, networking, and multidisciplinary collaboration with other interns and professionals;
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Practical results that can benefit your organisation and help influence health and social care practice in your area;
You don’t need formal research training to apply, just a strong interest, managerial support, and a project idea you’re passionate about.
Applications are open now, with the next deadline on 27th April 2026.
Do you find it difficult to understand how to involve people in your research or organisation?
Do you want to know how to you can ensure diversity and inclusion in your research or organisation?
If so, these advice sessions may be for you. You don't have to have a specific proposal or project in mind.
NIHR are keen to meet and support people in England, working in non-NHS settings involved in research that delivers public health services including:
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higher education institutions
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voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
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public contributors or public co-applicants
The drop in sessions will be hosted by Kasia Kurowska, Public and Community Partnerships Manager and Research Inclusion Co-lead, and Dr Lauren Hall, Methodologist and Research Inclusion Co-lead. After the initial conversation, they may be able to help you connect with public contributors or other resources such as methodological advice, or funding to deliver your involvement activity.
Each drop in will run for 30 minutes and be hosted on MS Teams.
The next sessions are scheduled to run:
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Wednesday 29 April in 30 minutes slots from 2pm
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Wednesday 13 May in 30 minute slots from 1pm
Climate
The NHS has a a big carbon footprint which adds to climate change. The NHS is the first health system in the world to commit by law to stop adding to climate change by 2040. Short-term intensive treatment in hospital is the
biggest medical care contributor to climate change.
Virtual Health Care
A service called Virtual Wards cares for people, at home using digital technologies. It’s used for people with acute conditions, such as breathing problems, heart failure, or frailty. Researchers at Lancaster University want to know if it’s better for the environment than care in hospital.
Become a member of their Public and Community advisory group
If you are someone who has some or all of the below:
• Can use zoom/Microsoft teams or telephone conferencing
• Is interested in climate issues and lowering carbon emissions
• Is interested in exploring healthcare issues
• Has or has had family who have used the Virtual Wards service
They would love to hear from you.
To get involved, contact Bethany Gill: b.gill2@lancaster.ac.uk or Hilary Garrett: h.garrett@lancaster.ac.uk
Training, support and reimbursement for time and expenses are provided in line with national guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Social Care
You can now find us on Facebook and Instagram, give us a follow!
In addition to our newsletter, we also share news on our LinkedIn page and are in the process of updating our website. You can also find us on Cumbria Observatory.
You can always find us at the end of an email so don’t hesitate to contact us at hdrc@cumberland.gov.uk with any questions, comments or if you’d like to invite us round for a cup of tea and a catch up. We love being invited to any events that might be a good fit or let us know if we can use your space and always eager to chat with the people who use your services!
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