Community Hub for Engagement in Research Practice
A shared space for community, connection and research into health, social care and wellbeing.
Birch Network
Birch is a dynamic and inclusive network of individuals and organisations with an interest in community engagement and involvement in health, social care and wellbeing research across Birmingham and Solihull. Through regular newsletters and quarterly online ‘meet-ups’, the network aims to create a space for people to share their activities and evidence, communicate opportunities for collaboration and learn from, and with, each other.
Are you involved with or have an interest in engagement/research activity in health and social care?
Do you want to know more about opportunities to shape and be involved in research activity?
Do you want to find out more about the research evidence being produced to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities?
Are you looking for opportunities to apply for funding to conduct health and/or social care research activity?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Birch Network might be for you!
Connection Point
Connect with community groups, researchers, and funders, explore research ideas, and help shape future research through shared opportunities and collaboration.
Are you a researcher looking to meet/reach out to community organisations and community researchers?
The Connection Point helps you connect with community organisations, share research ideas, and shape meaningful, community-informed research.
Are you a community organisation looking to register potential research topics and help shape the research agenda?
The Connection Point gives you a space to share your ideas, highlight local priorities, and connect with researchers who want to work alongside your community.
Are you a researcher looking to meet/reach out to community organisations and community researchers?
The Connection Point helps you connect with community organisations, share research ideas, and shape meaningful, community-informed research.
Are you a community organisation looking to register potential research topics and help shape the research agenda?
The Connection Point gives you a space to share your ideas, highlight local priorities, and connect with researchers who want to work alongside your community.
Collaborate
with experts
Join groups, connect with peers, and build partnerships.
Advance your
research journey
Acquire skills to conduct and fund impactful research.
Share your
work with others
Publish your findings and reach a wider audience.
Explore a vast
knowledge base
Discover a wide variety of studies, videos, and tools.
Simplify your research journey
Discover the latest studies, share your findings effortlessly, and connect with a thriving research community — all in one place.
Why a Community Hub for Engagement in Research Practice?
The Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) worked in partnership with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to create CHERP in order to strengthen community involvement in health, social care and wellbeing research. By bringing together local people, community organisations, researchers, and health professionals, CHERP aims to ensure that research reflects the real needs of Birmingham and Solihull’s diverse communities — helping to shape better services, policies, and outcomes for everyone.
Make research a mutually beneficial process
Enable learning and support connection
Encourage sharing of current and past research projects
