Research Opportunities
Often, Haref is asked to help connect researchers from local academic institutions or VCSE organisation with ethnically-marginalised groups. This helps to diversify studies, and means that research is more applicable for all communities.
We have rounded up the latest opportunities below for June 2026:
Women's Health in Newcastle
Can you spare 60 minutes to talk about a new women's health NHS clinic? We will be having a focus group at Mindful Therapies, Carliol Square, Newcastle, on Tuesday 23 June from 1.00pm - 2.00pm. If you can join us, please contact Kate on kate.vogelsang@nhs.net or on Whatsapp at 07786912083.
Places are limited, so please do book. Participants will get a £10 voucher.
There will be an Urdu speaker at this session.
Digital Mental Health Access and Inclusion Among Marginalised Groups in North East and North Cumbria (NENC)
Researchers at Northumbria University and are trying to understand the experiences of people from minority communities (refugees, asylum seekers) who have used, or been offered, digital mental health services.
To find out more about this research and what participants are being asked to help with, please click here.
Survey: Aspiring Dreams
Aspiring Dreams focuses on supporting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those with forced migration experiences, to achieve their full potential in education and employment.
They are now preparing a series of new workshops and support sessions, designed to help people feel more confident, more prepared, and more ready for work. They have created a short survey that asks about your experiences, the challenges you’ve faced, and the kind of support that would help you the most.
Research on Hot Weather (including Heatwaves) and Pregnancy in England
Researchers at Newcastle University are inviting people living in England to share their views and experiences of hot weather during pregnancy and the newborn period (the month after birth).
More information about this research is available in the Participant Information Sheet at https://bit.ly/research-heat. Please share this survey with anyone suitable in your network. The survey is open until 30 September 2026.
Better Leisure Newcastle
As part of Better's work to support more people to live healthier lives, they would like to hear from you about your experiences of leisure centres. This will help to support more reduced cost sessions, located in the best place for you at the right time!
Please take a couple of minutes to fill in this short survey. It takes around 3 minutes. To find out more about Better in Newcastle, click here.
High Blood Pressure Study
Researchers at Northumbria University are investigating whether some simple changes can help people manage their blood pressure from the comfort of their own home, with the right support and guidance.
The study is particularly interested in hearing from people across the region who are living with high blood pressure who have been prescribed medication to manage their condition.
If you or your service users have high blood pressure and would like to find out more about the HOME-FIT study, please get in touch with Helen Llewellyn at Northumbria University (Helen.llewellyn@northumbria.ac.uk), or click here to submit your details.
Workshops for young people on mental illness and excess weight
A research team at Newcastle University are working with The Lawnmowers Theatre Company to understand people’s personal experiences of living with severe mental illness and their weight.
In particular they are interested to hear what makes it harder to be a healthy weight, and what things could change in future to make this easier.
They are holding two focus groups (26 June and 1 July) and encourage young people (12 - 24 years old) with lived experience of severe mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar and other psychotic disorders), or a parent/carer for someone with this diagnosis, to join them for the discussions.
Participants will be paid in vouchers for their time (total £55) and reasonable travel and caring expenses will also be covered, as required.
Contacts: susanna.mills@newcastle.ac.uk, research.abilities@lawnmowerstheatre.com
Survey: Access to Adult Social Care
Healthwatch Newcastle are currently researching people's awareness and understanding of access to adult social care. Please complete their survey here.
You can also request a hard copy from info@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk or call 0808 178 9282. This survey closes 1 July.
Could changes to NHS Patient Transport affect You or Someone You Care For?
NHS Transport Services are looking at ways to improve the service, reduce long waits and make eligibility rules more consistent in the North East.
If you use this service, please complete this survey by 3 July.
Newcastle University: Help us Understand Appetite Loss with Ageing
Newcastle University are looking for participants to help them investigate gut hormone and appetite responses to fat, protein, and carbohydrate in older adults, to understand the causes of appetite loss.
They are looking for older adults (65+ years) to take part in five visits, with a total time commitment of around 20 hours. Participants must be at or below their ideal body weight. These visits will include the measurement of appetite, blood sampling (to analyse gut-hormone concentrations) and lots of free food!
Participants will receive a £40 Love2Shop voucher and lots of gratitude. Please reach out for more information to Matthew Barrett at m.barrett3@newcastle.ac.uk
