A project to revitalise homelessness research by putting those with lived experience at its heart has received follow-on funding to continue working in Dorset.
Homelessness is a big issue in Dorset, with those who experience homelessness among the most marginalised in the county. ‘I am more than…’ is a project being delivered by Bournemouth University, NHS Dorset, HealthBus Trust and Lantern Trust to understand the unique experiences of those living, or having experienced, homelessness and how to ensure their voice is heard.
NHS England have provided follow-on funding of £110,000 for the project to continue for another nine months, as researchers with lived experience of homelessness and BU researchers work with Community Action Network (CAN), NHS Dorset, the Lantern Trust, and HealthBus Trust to explore how research involvement can be designed with the communities most affected.
The I am more than.. strand of the project is being led by Professor Mel Hughes, Professor of Social Work at Bournemouth University. She said, “Often when participants are needed for a research project, the expectations for how research is done just doesn’t work for those most marginalised in our communities and we miss out on their experiences. We’re working to understand groups currently under-served by research to design research projects with them to put underrepresented groups right at the centre.
“In the case of homelessness, as researchers, we need to be where homeless people are, understanding the acute and often individual circumstances of people, and use our research as a way to really amplify the voices of those experiencing homelessness by involving them as community researchers.”
One such community researcher, Kevin, said, “The project has allowed me to express to you what it means to be homeless... It can happen to anyone. It’s not a lifestyle choice... I hope that this project will affect some change”.
Another community researcher, Jim, commented, “It’s been humbling hearing different people’s stories of being homeless or vulnerably housed. It’s also very beneficial to me to talk about things…it’s a beneficial social exercise – meetings turn to long-term relationships”.
The project seeks to increase the diversity of voices in all kinds of research, but particularly focuses on how those experiencing homelessness can engage in the process and know their contributions are valued and heard.
Developing inclusive research involves a new way of working. As Tanya Bailey, Education, Training and Employment Coordinator from the Lantern Trust explained, “I see it as giving the project a stage with an ongoing running show, where there are no scripts and no structured rehearsals, but the performances go ahead whether the actors or audience turn up or not!”
Annabel Wathen, Operations, Training & Research Officer at the HealthBus Trust, said, “BU has given us the academic weight, confidence and gravitas to ensure that the full impact of this project is documented and projected out to the wider audience, in the way it should be and with the respect it deserves, for those involved.”
Professor Hughes continued, “We want to make sure that those with lived experience of homelessness know they have a voice in the work we do. We are creating a truly inclusive way to ensure underrepresented groups have a voice in research, and are pleased to be partnering with local organisations in delivering this work.
“This is about people co-researching solutions with us in a way that truly values and takes their experiences to heart.”
To get involved in the project, speak to the Lantern Trust or HealthBus Trust. For more information about the project, visit: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/research/projects/research-engagement-people-who-have-experienced-homelessness
