Two projects supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria (ARC NENC) have been featured in the NIHR Annual Report 2025/26. SmartSocks: supporting earlier dementia detection The SmartSocks pilot is testing whether sensor-enabled socks can monitor sleep and walking patterns at home, helping to identify early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome. Exploring drone: delivered defibrillators A second project examined public responses to defibrillators delivered by drone during simulated cardiac arrests. Participants supported the idea, while highlighting the need for clear guidance, confidence using the equipment and continued CPR support from ambulance call handlers. Research making a difference Both projects show how regional […]
New research has highlighted how councils could use food purchasing and advertising policies to help tackle climate change. Food and drink production accounts for more than one-third of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Councils can help reduce this impact by choosing more environmentally sustainable food for schools, leisure centres and other council-run sites. They can also influence the types of food advertised on property they own or manage. Researchers from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria and Oxford University found that only a small number of English councils have introduced climate-friendly food advertising and purchasing policies, despite most having declared a climate emergency. The study calls for […]
Women with poor access to financial, educational, and social and health resources engage less with health and care services throughout their pregnancy. This is due to a range of reasons such as social stressors, low health literacy, digital exclusion, lack of support, language barriers, transport difficulties, and stigma and judgement from healthcare professionals. Research led by the NIHR School for Public Health Research and supported by the NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria examined these barriers, and the work has led to the development of new toolkits to support improvement of care. The toolkits aim to help policy makers and practitioners implement actionable changes to service delivery, to help […]
Monday 2 November, 9am until 4pm – The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix. Join leading researchers, policymakers, practitioners and experts-by-experience from across the region for a powerful one-day conference exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing women, families and marginalised communities. This unique practice improvement event will bring together national speakers with regional leaders in research, public health, social care and community organisations to examine how stigma, trauma and disadvantage shape people’s lives – and what we can do differently to improve outcomes. This event is jointly hosted by: Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health; NIHR School for Public Health Research; Office for Health Improvement and Disparities; Newcastle […]
A new report from the Northern Triangle explores the real-world challenge of leading change across health and care systems – where solutions lie beyond the control of any single organisation. Rather than offering a simple framework, the research provides a powerful reflection of the lived experience of system leadership, highlighting the importance of relationships, shared learning, and collective leadership in driving meaningful change. Boost is proud to feature in this work as a relational learning system – focused on building the “social glue” that enables improvement across partners and communities. To bring these insights to life, we’re hosting a Connect & Learn session on Wednesday 1 July, 1.00–2.30pm. This interactive […]
Colleagues across the North East and North Cumbria are invited to take part in an important research project exploring the use of touch in deafblind practice. Led by Birmingham City University, the study ‘Navigating touch in deafblind practice: From complexity to professional guidance’ aims to bring together professional insight and lived experience to co‑create clear, practical guidance for those working with people who are deafblind. Shaping future guidance through collaboration The research will engage professionals through a series of activities, including focus groups and a collaborative ‘World Café’ event. These sessions will explore current perspectives and experiences of using touch in practice, before bringing together practitioners and academics to […]
A new toolkit has been launched to help services work more effectively together when supporting families affected by domestic abuse. Developed through research supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria, the toolkit focuses on strengthening ‘whole family approaches’ – where adult and children’s services work in a more coordinated way to support parents and children. Domestic abuse can have long-term impacts on both adults and children, including lasting mental health challenges. While policy has long encouraged multi-agency working, delivering joined-up support in practice can be challenging, with differences in how services operate sometimes leading to gaps in care. Supporting more joined-up, consistent practice […]
Applications are now open for Cohort 6 North Cumbria School of Generalism, delivered by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS FT (NCIC). The School of Generalism is hosted by NCIC on behalf of NHS England North East, and is open to staff working across healthcare organisations in North Cumbria, aiming to equip learners with common concepts, understanding and language to help improve patient care. The Trust will again be delivering an innovative program giving the opportunity for up to 30 multi-professional, multi-disciplinary, clinical and administrative/management staff to learn alongside each other. They will gain a common language and shared skills to enable them to better understand, navigate and deliver the increasingly […]
Stigma towards people who use alcohol and other drugs remains a significant barrier to accessing care, treatment and support. Reducing stigma within professional environments is an important step in improving experiences and outcomes for individuals and communities. The National Challenging Stigma Pilot Programme (NCSPP) is a two‑year initiative led by Liverpool John Moores University, working with academic partners across the UK. The programme supports local areas to address professional stigma, particularly in (former) Project ADDER areas including Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, Hastings and Tower Hamlets. As part of this work, organisations are invited to take part in an evidence‑based online training package designed to help professionals […]
Domestic abuse and suicide are both recognised as major public health concerns. National research, combined with local data from Northumbria Police, is now highlighting a critical and often overlooked connection between the two: women and girls who experience domestic abuse may face an increased risk of dying by suicide. While both domestic abuse and suicidality are complex and influenced by many factors, the evidence is clear. Experiences of domestic abuse, in any form, can increase suicide risk for women and girls. Local intelligence from Northumbria Police, alongside national research, reinforces the need to recognise domestic abuse not only as a safeguarding issue, but also as a significant factor in suicide […]
