The Power of Us: Reflections from a day of connection, inspiration, and collective momentum
By Sophie Wilson, Director of Research, BVSC
Wow. What a day.
As I sit down to reflect on The Power of Us conference, I’m filled with gratitude and admiration—for the people, the energy, the shared vision, and the powerful conversations that unfolded throughout the day. Held at Birmingham City Football Club on 9 April 2025, the venue was absolutely buzzing from start to finish. The event was so well attended that even the coffee queue was alive with discussion and idea-sharing. Everywhere you turned, there were people talking about change, justice, equity, and collaboration. There was an atmosphere of hope. And it was real.
From the very beginning, the power of bringing so many diverse voices into one room was evident. We welcomed community researchers, voluntary and community sector organisations, academics, public sector partners, and policy makers—each bringing unique perspectives and stories, but all united by a commitment to inclusive, community-led research in health, social care, and wellbeing.
“Giving a voice to the voiceless”
(Deborah, Community Researcher)
One of the most powerful parts of the day, for me, was witnessing our incredible community researchers take centre stage—not just through the beautifully presented posters sharing their research, but also in the moving and insightful panel discussion they participated in. Their reflections on the transformative journey of becoming a community researcher—on the skills they’ve developed, the confidence they’ve gained, and the importance of having their voices heard—captured the heart of what this work is all about.
“I am a recovering addict and a factory worker, I never knew that I had these skills, until someone showed me that I did.”
Chris, Community Researcher
Their projects tackled deeply important themes, from language barriers during childbirth to the mental health of Muslim mothers, and the role of faith organisations in supporting wellbeing. They were bold, brave, and brilliant.
We also had the privilege of hearing from Patrick Vernon OBE, Chair of Birmingham & Solihull Integrated Care Board. Patrick opened the day with a keynote that set the tone for everything that followed. His long-standing work on tackling inequalities and his advocacy for racial equity in health and social care gave us a powerful reminder of the systemic change we’re striving for—and the importance of doing that work in partnership with communities. His energy, clarity and vision were deeply motivating, and it was an honour to have him with us.
Stakeholder panel
Robin Miller
Jan
We also heard from a wide range of panels and workshops throughout the day, including expert sessions led by Catalyst 4 Change, Flourish Community Health Collaborative, and the Community Connexions team at BCHC—as well as powerful contributions from colleagues at the University of Warwick, West Midlands Combined Authority, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the NIHR infrastructure teams. Each session showcased different angles of inclusive, community-driven research—from cultural immersion and crime prevention to regional research innovation and removing barriers to community involvement.
In the Research Better Together plenary session, delivered after a rather splendid lunch, Clare Harewood and Caroline Jackson shared learning from this innovative programme developed in partnership between BVSC and the University, with one of the grant recipients, Nabila from Ways to Wellbeing sharing her reflections about the programme.
CRs panel
Community Connexions
CC Workshop
All these conversations made it clear: change is happening—and it’s being driven from the ground up, by those with lived experience, working alongside academics and systems partners in true collaboration.
Although time didn’t allow us to hear the full keynote from Professor Robin Miller, his presence and words left a lasting impression. His work on collaboration in health and social care research couldn’t be more aligned with the values at the heart of The Power of Us. The fact that he adapted his address to fit a tighter schedule and still managed to inspire everyone in the room is a testament to his passion and expertise.
Conference Programme
As the day drew to a close, the Stakeholder Panel Discussion brought together leaders from across sectors to explore “The Power of Community-Led Research.” It was one of those sessions that really grounded the themes of the day. There was no sense of box-ticking or empty platitudes—what emerged was a shared commitment to dismantling barriers, championing co-production, and embedding inclusion at every level. It was refreshing, honest, and energising to hear system leaders speak not just about what needs to change, but about how they are personally committing to making that change happen.
I want to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped bring this event to life—our dedicated partners in the Birmingham and Solihull REND partnership, including Catalyst 4 Change, Flourish Community Health Collaborative, Community Connexions, the University of Birmingham, and the BSol ICB, the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration and NIHR Midlands Patient Safety Research Collaboration. Thank you also to everyone who delivered workshops, participated in panels, shared their research, or simply came along to connect and contribute. Special appreciation goes to Jacob from BVSC’s Health and Social Care team, whose efforts in organising the day were absolutely tireless. And finally, a huge thank you to Sandra Griffiths from Catalyst 4 Change for being a wonderful host and for keeping the day running so smoothly.
Days like this remind us why we do this work. They remind us that research is not the preserve of the few—it is something that can, and should, be shaped by all of us. They remind us that when we truly share power, we make space for richer insights, more relevant knowledge, and deeper impact.
Looking ahead, I’m excited for what’s next. Our new initiative—CHERP (Community Hub for Engagement in Research Practice)—will be the engine room for much of this work going forward. Alongside the Birch Network, which continues to grow as a vibrant community of practice, we are building the infrastructure to ensure this isn’t just a moment—it’s a movement. Look out for the launch of the new CHERP website in the coming weeks.
If you were at the conference, thank you for being part of this story. If you weren’t, I hope you’ll join us in the next chapter. The power of us is real. Let’s keep it going.
Related Documents:
Flourish-UoB_PowerOfUsConference_9Apr2025.pdf (660.9 KB)
Power of Us- Community Connexions Workshop ppt.pdf (4.1 MB)
NIHR - get involved and support v2.pdf (445.8 KB)
Marianne Community Researchers.pdf (1.1 MB)
Jan CR Training.pdf (471.9 KB)
POWER OF US MASTER SLIDES.pdf (2.1 MB)
West MIdlands Police and Crime Commissioner OPCC.pdf (2.1 MB)
Raheela Uni Warwick.pdf (1.2 MB)
Power of Us NIHR - April 2025.pdf (1.6 MB)
Tags
community research, blogs