Wakefield Council has been awarded the funding by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for the five-year project. The evidence gathered from the research will be used to improve understanding and help shape the way local services are delivered in the future to help residents live healthier lives.
Wakefield is one of 11 applicants to be awarded funding to establish a Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). The research programme will be known formally as NIHR HDRC Wakefield.
The Council will set up the research programme in partnership with partners at Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds Beckett University, St George’s Community Centre and Prosper Wakefield.
Chris Dayson, Professor of Voluntary Action, Health and Wellbeing at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wakefield Council to develop the new Health Determinants Research Collaboration, building on the work we have been doing with the Doncaster HDRC during the past year or so. We look forward to working with Wakefield Council to build research capacity and skills in their local communities so that services for residents can be based on a deeper understanding of the needs and wishes of local people.”
The funding will allow the partnership to work closely with communities to understand what is already strong and works for them. It will also give residents the chance to make their own decisions about health and care and will ensure the Council and its partners focus more on the right priorities and outcomes for all Wakefield residents.
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “This is such welcome news for our district. The Wakefield district is a wonderful place to live, but sadly it’s still the case that many of our residents will not reach retirement age in good health. This funding will help us to change that by giving us greater insight into what affects our residents’ health and wellbeing and ultimately allow us to deliver services to our communities that really make a difference.”
