The North west Coast Living Lab in Ageing and Dementia (of which Parkhaven Trust is a partner organisation) held a year 2 Celebration event, bringing together researchers, care providers, unpaid carers and international partners for an afternoon of sharing research and insights about building capacity in the social care workforce, and the creative ways the group continues to work on embedding research into social care. The NWC Living Lab is one of only two in the UK looking at older adults and dementia, and the only in the country involving different care providers in residential, day, and home care.
The event opened with a welcome session highlighting achievements from the past two years. Attendees heard how embedding researchers within social care organisations has strengthened collaboration and helped build research capacity across the region, improving approaches to dementia care.
A central theme of the day was international partnership. Early sessions explored a joint Dutch/English evaluation of the Living Lab model. Later, contributions from Dutch colleagues provided a deeper look into the Limburg Living Lab in Long Term Care, underlining how shared experiences from carers and researchers in the different countries is providing unique solution-based approaches.
A particular highlight of the event was the acknowledgement of three NIHR-funded interns who successfully completed their 12-month placements within the Living Lab. The interns; our very own Samantha Bradley Quality Improvement Coordinator at Parkhaven Trust, Christine Torres, and MD Moniruzzaman (pictured) were presented with certificates in recognition of their contributions to ongoing research and their development as social care professionals.
Throughout the afternoon, speakers presented examples of applied research making a difference on the ground. These included a study of dementia village models and work supporting transitions from hospital to community care. A case study from a care provider demonstrated how organisations are becoming more research-active, equipping staff with new skills to improve outcomes for those they support.
Dr Clarissa Giebel, organiser of the event and lead of the NWC Living Lab in Ageing and Dementia, said
“We are thrilled to be continuing for the next five years with the Living Lab – a core feature of the new Social Care Theme in the second phase of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast.”
Find out more about the NW Coast Living Lab in Ageing & Dementia
