Co-Lab Community: Shifting Power in Research

Building Capacity Across Communities

Co-Lab has trained over 30 peer researchers, equipping individuals with lived experience to lead and shape research. Peer researchers have led projects addressing mental health, oral health, and community safety, directly influencing service design and delivery.

These researchers are not just participants - they are co-creators, decision-makers, and change agents.

• Two peer researchers have gone on to secure research training internships:

• One has launched a community-owned research network on the Isle of Wight (ICORN).

• Another is working internationally with Australian community-owned mental health and wellbeing services to identify successful practices that can be adapted locally.

• In Portsmouth a group of community members in partnership with Portsmouth Health Alliance, are working to improve community mental health experiences in Paulsgrove, and foster a sense of community, safety, and belonging for young people in Portsea.

 “Being part of Co-Lab has given me the confidence to lead my own research project. I feel heard, valued, and empowered.”

“The training was transformative. I now see myself as a researcher, not just a participant.”

Enhancing Research Quality

Co-Lab’s contribution to the NIHR-funded Co-Action project with the University of Southampton demonstrates the value of community-led research. We are working with people from different communities to understand what supports people with long-term health conditions. Co-Lab delivered this work package as part of a larger NIHR grant aimed at improving wellbeing for people with multiple health problems. Our peer researchers provided rich, community-rooted data that shaped the development of interventions to meet the needs of underserved communities.

“The Co-Lab team have been absolutely invaluable for ensuring that peer research in our NIHR funded programme grant is done effectively and properly. Having Co-Lab with their network of contacts meant that we were able to recruit a wide range of peer researchers that reflected the make-up of our target populations”

“Co-Lab took all the stress out of identifying, training, supervising and coordinating the data of the peer researchers. We have been commended by the NIHR programme management team on the richness of our community engagement and much of this is down to our peer researchers provided by Co-Lab.”

Join the Movement

Co-Lab is open to new partnerships and grant development opportunities. Collaboration is a core part of our philosophy - we want to help as many people as possible include lived experience in research and use methods that drive community-led inquiry.

Join our growing network of changemakers - researchers, practitioners, and community members - who are working together to build a more inclusive, community-driven research landscape.

Together, we’re shifting the power in research.