Blackburn Rovers Community Trust (BRCT), the official charity of Blackburn Rovers Football Club, has launched a groundbreaking project to make it easier for people to be part of health and care research.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has funded BRCT to deliver the scheme, titled ‘Rovers Reach’, in partnership with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT).
The NIHR is the research partner of the NHS, public health and social care. Health and care research is key to developing new treatments, finding better ways to manage health conditions and providing better care. It also helps to prevent people from developing conditions in the first place.
However, it is common for people to not take part because of a misunderstanding about what health and care research is, how to get involved, or practical matters such as time and convenience.
The Rovers Reach project has been funded to raise public awareness of health and care research in the diverse communities across Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire.
It will give people opportunities to take part in vital research studies at the club’s Ewood Park stadium, which will host accessible and welcoming research opportunities throughout the week, including matchdays.
Rovers will also extend these opportunities through its range of trusted programmes which reach into the heart of the community. There are over 50 of these, including ones which work with schools and colleges, young people and families, older adults and people with specific health conditions, as well as health and wellbeing services for vulnerable people.
The inclusive scheme will reach out to people of all ages and backgrounds, whether they are healthy, or living with long-term health conditions.
Initially taking place over 12 months, Rovers Reach will combine Rovers’ strong community connection with ELHT’s clinical expertise.
The innovative partnership aims to create a legacy of increased community awareness of health and care research. Findings will be shared with other clubs via the English Football League (EFL).
The project aligns with key NIHR objectives and the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to make research more accessible by expanding opportunities into the community away from hospitals and other traditional health and care settings.
It also aligns with the NIHR’s aim to increase the diversity of people taking part in research so that new findings and new treatments work for and benefit everyone.
Ilyas Patel, Community Inclusion Manager at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, said:
“We’re really excited to launch this partnership with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, supported by NIHR funding, to create a community-based research hub at Ewood Park. We’re proud to be part of a collaboration that places the health and wellbeing of our community at its heart. By hosting research initiatives here at Ewood Park and also out in the local community, we’re creating a welcoming, stigma-free environment where people feel empowered to contribute to the future of healthcare. Together, we’re working to make research more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful for everyone in Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire.”
Alison McLoughlin, Clinical Research Development Lead at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“This partnership makes a significant step forward in making health research more accessible and inclusive. By bringing research into the heart of the community at Ewood Park, we’re breaking down barriers and building trust - ultimately working towards ensuring everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from cutting-edge health and care advancements.”
Professor Andy Ustianowski, Director of NIHR North West Regional Research Delivery Network, said:
“We’re proud to be supporting this innovative project as part of our latest strategic funding programme. Rovers Reach aligns perfectly with our aims to bring more research into everyday places where it’s easier for people to take part, and to reach underserved communities where traditionally there hasn’t been as much involvement in research. The huge reach of the football club and its strong community ties give the project enormous potential to create a meaningful and lasting impact.”
What does taking part in research look like?
Rovers Reach will be encouraging people to sign-up to Be Part of Research, NIHR’s free online service which makes it easy to find and take part in vital health and care research that is relevant and local to you.
In addition, people will be given opportunities to take part in specific NIHR-supported research studies. To begin with, this includes:
- Genes & Health: Investigating genetic reasons why people of Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage have some of the highest rates of poor health in the UK. Participation involves adults giving a small saliva sample in a tube.
- ELSA study: Looking at whether a simple finger stick blood test can identify children at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. The study is open to children aged 3 to 13.
- Creating the Youth Loneliness Scale: Looking to develop and test out a new way of measuring loneliness in young people. Participation involves young people, aged 10 to 25, completing a survey with questions about loneliness and other emotions and behaviours.
To find out more or get involved in the project, please contact healthandwellbeing@brfctrust.co.uk