NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
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nihrarcs.bsky.social
NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
@nihrarcs.bsky.social
We are the network of 15 NIHR (@nihr.bsky.social) Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
ARCs support applied health and care research across the country
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linktree: linktr.ee/nihrarcs
e-newsletter: tinyurl.com/ARCsnewsletter
website: tinyurl.com/NIHRARCs
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🗞️ Read the February national roundup of top stories from all ARCs across the country:

mailchi.mp/nihr/februar...

Including news, resources, blogs, events, opportunities & much more

📨 Join the newsletter tinyurl.com/ARCsnewsletter
The NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) February 2026 newsletter
The national newsletter from across all the NIHR ARCs. In this edition: The first major trial to reduce social media use among healthy adolescents, Continuous care from community-based midwives reduce...
mailchi.mp
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Up now on our blog: Mary Scarlett, a social care researcher supported by the NIHR SHARE programme, outlines her research examining the educational journey of Black and Minority Ethnic students in London schools.

arc-sl.nihr.ac.uk/news-insight...

@nihrarcs.bsky.social
An interview with social care researcher Mary Scarlett
YouTube video by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South London
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Over 120 people joined our recent webinar showcasing how peer-research approaches - involving people with lived experience and from diverse backgrounds - can drive more equitable and inclusive research.

Read our round-up and catch up with the recording:

arc-sl.nihr.ac.uk/news-insight...
February 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Our just published pilot study found community pharmacies are a promising site for expanding access to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) - particularly for under-served groups who may not engage with traditional #SexualHealth clinics

#PrEP #HIV #HIVPrevention

arc-w.nihr.ac.uk/community-ph...
Community pharmacies: A new frontier for PrEP access - ARC West
Community pharmacies are a “promising site” for expanding access to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), according to a recent pilot study led by researchers at NIHR ARC West and NIHR Health Protectio...
arc-w.nihr.ac.uk
February 12, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
What does lived experience mean in research, and why is it so important?

Andrew Grundy joins the #NIHRBridgeTheGap podcast to talk about the value of lived experience, the challenges that can come with the role, and why support and self-care matter.

🎧 Listen now: bit.ly/4ak1L47
Bridge The Gap Episode 5: What is lived experience?
*BEST HEARD WITH HEADPHONES* In this episode of 'Bridge The Gap', hosts Faiqa and Sadia are speaking with our guest, Andrew Grundy, a lived experience researcher at the University of Manchester. They explain what lived experience is in research and its immense value, the challenges that lived experience researchers may face, and the importance of self care when in the role. #NIHRBridgeTheGap The 'Bridge The Gap' podcast is funded by the NIHR ARC-GM and created by the Young Peoples' Working Group (YPWG) at the University of Manchester. Website: https://arc-gm.nihr.ac.uk/bridge-the-gap-podcast Guests: Andrew Grundy Script Writer: Nadine Mirza Host: Faiqa Mansoor and Sadia Mir Producers: Ashgan Mahyoub and Nadine Mirza
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
🎉Yesterday was #IDWGS2026, and we are celebrating the women leading our themes at @arc-yharc.bsky.social—from Prof Suzanne Mason’s pioneering Urgent Care research to Prof Tracey Young’s leadership in Health Economics.

🔗Full story: arc-yh.nihr.ac.uk/celebrating-...

#WomenInScience #NIHR
Celebrating Excellence: Women Driving Health Innovation in Yorkshire and Humber - ARC
As we mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February 2026), we are proud to spotlight the extraordinary women leading the charge in health
arc-yh.nihr.ac.uk
February 12, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, we’re supporting Place2Be 💛

PenARC is improving mental health care for children through projects like MyVoice and ADaPT.

More here: bit.ly/3NWDBFE & bit.ly/46qSg20

More to come this week👇

#ThisIsMyPlace #CMHW2026
Research
Please see below for current and past projects.
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Feeling connected to your community matters.

CHOICES explored how social prescribing & community activities can support young people’s mental health early.

More info here: arc-swp.nihr.ac.uk/research/pro...

#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #CMHW2026 #Place2Be
CHOICES: CHildren and young people’s Options In the Community for Enhancing wellbeing through Social prescribing. - PenARC
Growing the evidence base around social prescribing in the primary care and public health arenas for children and young people.
arc-swp.nihr.ac.uk
February 11, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Nature can play a powerful role in improving mental health🌿

CAMHS Goes Wild explored how nature-based approaches could be integrated into CAMHS - looking at feasibility, barriers, & benefits for staff & young people.

More info here: tinyurl.com/35cahm3r

#CMHW2026
CAMHS goes wild - PenARC
Background There is increasing evidence that being in natural environments has many mental health benefits. However, we are still not sure how best to integrate nature-based approaches into current sp...
tinyurl.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Build your research skills with our #ARCLunchandLearn series.

Over 20 short practical videos:
🔬 Methodological skills
✍️ Academic skills
🚀 Implementation and impact
📢 Dissemination sciences

Watch here:
🔗 tinyurl.com/ARCLunchandL...

Stay tuned every Thursday for a new video!
February 5, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
This week's #ARCLunchandLearn features:
📽️ #Coproduction in research

Discover:
✅ What co-production is (and isn't)
✅ Why it's crucial for stakeholder engagement
✅ How it differs from co-design
✅ Practical tools to make it happen

youtu.be/a-vfm55bb5A
Training | Co-production | 3 July 2024
YouTube video by NIHR ARC East Midlands
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Today marks #WomenInScience! 🌍🔬

We're celebrating six inspiring women researchers at @arc-em.bsky.social driving health and care change through their blogs and practical resources.

Read more: 🔗 tinyurl.com/msfux46f

Follow this thread to meet them 👇
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
1/6 Bettina Wallace, Dementia Advocate

Supporting African Caribbean communities through dementia research. Breaking down cultural barriers to participation and awareness.

Read here:
🔗 arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/breakin...
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
2/6 Professor Elizabeth Orton, Theme Lead and Consultant in Public Health

Practical steps to commission and expand Falls Management Exercise (FaME) despite complex funding systems. Proven to reduce falls.

Read here:
🔗 arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/achievi...
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
3/6 Barbara Czyznikowska, Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager

Using the power of art to understand and amplify Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) women's maternity experiences during GRT History Month.

Read here:
🔗 arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/what-if...
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
4/6 Dalvir Kandola, Pre-Application Support Fellow (Midwifery)

Her journey from research idea to successful fellowship application, with practical tips for aspiring researchers.

Read here:
🔗 arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/dalvirs...
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
5/6 Dr Shabana Cassambai, Diabetes Researcher

Lived experience perspective on managing type 2 diabetes, informing better support for South Asian communities.

Read here:
🔗 arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/living-...
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
6/6 Dr Rachael Carroll, Research Fellow

Improving care in care homes through better data use with DACHA-DASH tools for person-centred care.

Read here:
🔗 arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/arc-eas...
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
🎙️ What are the different types of research involvement?

In this episode, Stephanie Gillibrand explains consulting, collaboration, and co-production in plain language.

An ideal listen if you are new to research or want to get involved.

🎧 Listen now: bit.ly/3NWCeqx

#NIHRBridgeTheGap
February 10, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Helping people to live and survive co-use of benzodiazepines / z-drugs and opioids: the importance of asking how and why people co-use: a new @drnscot.bsky.social blog by Gabriele Vojt, @jokesten.bsky.social Jennifer Scott @hannah-family.bsky.social
#HarmReduction
drns.ac.uk/benzo-blog/
Helping people to live and survive co-use of benzodiazepines/z-drugs and opioids: the importance of asking how and why people co-use - Drug Research Network Scotland
Helping people to live and survive co-use of benzodiazepines/z-drugs and opioids: the importance of asking how and why people co-use Gabriele Vojt, Joanna Kesten, Jennifer Scott, Hannah Family, on beh...
drns.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Mental health support shouldn’t wait for crisis.

Kailo is a preventative, evidence-informed framework helping local partners co-design place-based support for adolescent mental health.

More info: bit.ly/4ral6w5

#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek
#CMHW2026
Kailo – A systemic approach to improving adolescent mental health - PenARC
Developing an evidence-informed framework to address the underlying drivers of poor adolescent mental health.
bit.ly
February 10, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
📺 New webinar recording: Statistical methodologists and public voices working together!

"80% of statisticians never involved patients or public in their methods research"

Professor Laura Gray navigated challenges with the PPI-SMART group.

Watch full webinar:
youtu.be/pKbsjBN1cAM
Statistical Methodologists and Public Voices Working Together in Research Webinar | 06 November 2025
YouTube video by NIHR ARC East Midlands
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
The PPI-SMART resources include:
✨ Animation on statistical methodology research
✨ Real examples of PPI making a difference
✨ 61-term plain language glossary

Download: leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk/ppismart
PPI for Statistical Methodology and Research Techniques - NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre
On these pages, you'll find information to help researchers carry out Patient and Public Involvement for Statistical Methodology and Research Techniques, helping you to do better PPI in this area
leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
What if we focused on prevention instead of just treatment?

Join us for A Pint of Prevention, an informal evening at Brew York hosted by our #MentalHealth Theme Lead, Professor Simon Gilbody.

🔗Sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
February 9, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Celebrating over 6 years developing the health & care researchers for the future across Wessex. £3 Million invested:117 internships, 8 PhDs, 29 post doctorate awards supported. Every £1 spent/£9 in return.

@nihr.bsky.social @nihrarcs.bsky.social @nisreenalwan.bsky.social @laboursatvir.bsky.social
February 9, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)
Welcome to our 9th cohort of interns for the last of our programme to grow applied research capacity in Wessex. £3 million invested in internship awards, PhDs & supporting post-docs. 117 internship awards across every part of the region, & range of health & care professionals @nihr.bsky.social
February 9, 2026 at 10:05 AM