CRN Greater Manchester holds successful Health Research Festival in Wigan
NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester have been collaborating with partners from the local community to put on a series of Health Research Festivals. These events are designed to raise awareness of opportunities to get involved in research to help improve health outcomes for people across the region.
The latest festival took place at Robin Park Leisure Centre on 26 October and featured stalls from 17 external partners. Health checks with local community professionals were available along with the chance to meet local health and wellbeing support organisations and opportunities to take part in research.
There was balloon modelling, fun and games, exhibitions and refreshments available throughout the day. The event was organised in collaboration with the research team at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Alison Robinson, Head of Research at the Trust, said:
“The research fun day was a tremendous event, bringing together lots of organisations with an interest in health, innovation and research. There was such energy on the day from our partners and I hope this enthusiasm for sharing the benefits of research transferred to our local community.”
Over 200 people dropped in during the day to speak with stallholders about taking part in research while also learning about some of the health, care and wellbeing initiatives operating in the Wigan area.
Susan Neeson, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester, said:
“Thank you to all of our exhibitors and everyone who came along to the health research festival. Holding these festivals in community settings is all part of our strategy to increase opportunities for residents in all parts of the area to be part of clinical research studies."
The festival was visited by the Mayor of Wigan, Councillor Kevin Anderson (pictured with the CRN team), who spoke with the exhibitors and visited the stalls. He had a guided tour of the NIHR CRN GM Research Van which makes research more accessible by visiting easy-to-reach locations across the region making it easier than ever for residents to take part in research.
The mayor also took the opportunity to sign up for Research for the Future which is an NHS-supported campaign that encourages people to get more involved with health research in their local area by registering their details and consenting to be approached about future research opportunities.
