Who We Are
CHERP is a collaborative initiative created in partnership with academia, community researchers, the VCFSE sector and those interested in creating research and driving change.
We exist to support stronger, more meaningful connections between communities and researchers — ensuring that health, social care and wellbeing research reflects the lived experiences, needs, and priorities of Birmingham and Solihull’s diverse population — and we hope that CHERP will help to remove barriers to accessing research, and bring community organisations and professional researchers together.
Why It Matters
Too often, research is carried out on or about communities, without their involvement or input. At the same time, many community organisations face barriers to accessing, understanding, or contributing to research that directly affects them.
CHERP was created to help change that — by creating a shared space where collaboration, trust, and community-led research can thrive.
What You’ll Find
CHERP brings together a growing collection of tools, knowledge and opportunities for anyone interested in health, social care and wellbeing research. Whether you’re a researcher, a community organisation, or a citizen wanting to get involved, you’ll find:
About the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System
Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (ICS) is one of 42 ICSs covering the whole of England. It is made up of health, social care and wellbeing organisations – including NHS Trusts, local government and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
These organisations are all working in partnership to improve population health, tackle health inequalities, enhance productivity and help the NHS support broader social and economic development.
The ICS serves 1.3 million people living in Birmingham and Solihull and amongst its aims is to understand, listen, and work with our people and communities to deliver the care and experiences that they deserve.
Our Integrated Care Partnership’s 10-year Strategy sets out an ambitious vision that the people of Birmingham and Solihull will live longer, healthier and happier lives. The strategy itself was developed following extensive engagement with citizens, health, social care and wellbeing frontline staff, and partner organisations across the system.
Our Working with People and Communities’ Strategy aligns to our 10-year vision, and sets out our ambition, principles and strategic goals for the way we engage with people and communities. In developing the strategy, all partners across the system have agreed to deliver these goals collectively.
We continue to grow and evolve our approach, building on the recommendations set out in our Community Engagement Framework which aims to join up engagement across the system and better listen to our communities.
Vital to this is driving community engagement in health social care and wellbeing research. Research that includes community perspectives leads to better policy-making and the co-production of services that truly meet the needs of the communities we serve.
We have worked in partnership to create the CHERP website, and we hope it leads to lasting connections and a vibrant community focused on research and change.
