Community Research Engagement Network (CREN) Programme

Across Kent and Medway, people from many communities are still underrepresented in research – particularly in coastal areas and among those facing health inequalities.

This means research doesn’t always reflect local needs.

Our partnership exists to change this – by using our trusted relationships, reach and community insight to make research more representative and impactful.

As a partnership, we:

• Connect researchers with communities across Kent and Medway
• Provide insight into local priorities, barriers and lived experience
• Support inclusive engagement and participation in health and care research
• Create space for community-led conversations about what matters

We are often the first point of connection between researchers and the communities they want to reach.

If you are designing or planning research in Kent and Medway, we encourage you to work with our partnership from the very start.

By involving us early, you can ensure your research is:

• Relevant to local communities
• Designed in accessible and inclusive ways
• Informed by lived experience
• Able to reach the people who are often missed out

We can support you to:

• Shape research questions and design
• Identify and reduce barriers to participation
• Connect with diverse communities through trusted local networks
• Strengthen the quality and impact of your research

Contact one of our partner organisations to start the conversation

Strong local research starts with strong local connections.

We work with communities across Kent and Medway to make it easier to get involved in research in a way that feels right for you.

Through our partnership, you can:

• Share your experiences and influence services
• Take part in research opportunities
• Help shape what research happens locally

Get in touch to find out more.

You don’t need experience – your voice matters.

• As a network, we have engaged with over 500 people across Kent and Medway
• We have upskilled and trained 50+ community research advocates
• We have promoted over 35 studies
• Invited over 3000 people to join research studies and national directories
• Supported more than 60 people directly into research studies
• We have 2 academic publications from our work centred around community engagement

Together, we are building awareness, trust and participation in research across Kent and Medway.

As established VCSE organisations, we have deep, trusted relationships across Kent and Medway, including with communities who are often underrepresented in research.

This includes people experiencing:

• Health inequalities
• Digital exclusion
• Social isolation
• Barriers linked to geography, language or access

Between April 2024 and March 2025 our organisations supported and engaged over 45,000 people across Kent and Medway, and worked with 2095 VCSE organisations, social enterprises and community groups. We also circulated newsletters to 14,524 individuals and distributed, invested or secured over £1,000,000 in funding across the VCSE sector.

Our partnership connects communities into the wider research and health system.

We work alongside:

• Kent and Medway Joint Research Innovation Collaborative
• Kent and Medway PPIE Collaborative (members include leads from NHS Trusts, University of Kent, and Canterbury Christ Church University)
• Kent and Medway ICB
• Kent County Council
• NIHR Southeast Regional Research Delivery Network
• Applied Research Collaborative Kent, Surrey, Sussex
• Health Innovation Kent, Surrey, Sussex

This enables us to bridge the gap between research and real life, ensuring insight flows both ways.

Our partnership covers the whole of Kent and Medway. To get started, contact the organisation in your area:

• East Kent – Social Enterprise Kent (SEK)
• West Kent – Involve
• Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley (DGS) – CVS North West Kent
• Medway – MVA (previously Medway Voluntary Action)

If you’re unsure who to contact, get in touch with any partner and we’ll connect you to the right place

For further details on the network, including live research opportunities, events, and resources, please click here

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If you’re carrying out research in Kent and Medway, our partnership is your route into communities – and an essential part of being more inclusive, fair and equitable.