{"id":9025,"date":"2026-07-20T09:17:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T08:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/research-external-engagement\/?p=9025"},"modified":"2026-08-18T10:18:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T09:18:28","slug":"case-study-uwe-bristol-leading-inclusive-health-research-through-health-ambassadors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/research-external-engagement\/case-study-uwe-bristol-leading-inclusive-health-research-through-health-ambassadors\/","title":{"rendered":"Case Study: UWE Bristol Leading Inclusive Health Research Through Health Ambassadors\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Image: The Health Ambassadors from left to right: Zia Haque; Louise Hill-Davis; Trace Mulzac; Sayambrita Mukherjee; Samina Baig; Alina Fieroiu<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UWE Bristol is at the forefront of developing innovative, community-led approaches to inclusive health research through its Health Research Ambassadors model.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Challenge<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Health research often excludes the very communities most affected by poor health outcomes. Structural barriers such as language; cultural differences; and traditional consultation processes, mean people from global majority and under-served communities are underrepresented. This creates gaps in both research relevance and equity. Deep rooted conscious or unconscious bias also plays a part in widening the gap between researchers and members of under-served communities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The UWE Bristol Approach<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Building on insights from community engagement models like the Black and Green Ambassadors scheme<\/a>, UWE Bristol researchers Dr Andy Gibson and Dr Carmel McGrath developed the Health Research Ambassadors<\/a> initiative to bridge the gap between diverse communities and the health and care research sector in Bristol and surrounding regions. Health Ambassadors often adopt an unconventional approach to engage with community members, including one to one conversations, catch ups over a hot drink and participating in festivals and community events to build meaningful relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With\u00a0initial\u00a0funding from the\u00a0National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), UWE Bristol piloted the approach with asylum seekers, successfully engaging communities around physical and mental health. The model has since evolved into a major regional programme through support from Bristol Health Partners (of which UWE Bristol is one partner), and partnerships with Caafi Health,\u00a0Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG)\u00a0Integrated Care Board, and People in Health West of England,\u00a0co-led by UWE Bristol.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scaling Impact<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The programme,\u00a0now managed by\u00a0Caafi Health<\/a>, has gone from strength to strength.\u00a0When the Health Research Ambassadors project formally launched, it began with three ambassadors. Over the following two years, it experienced significant\u00a0expansion,. With support from Bristol Health Partners, funding was secured from NHS England as part of a broader effort across the region to support a diverse Research Engagement Network<\/a>, working to improve the inclusion of under-served, racially minoritised communities in research.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>The programme has since grown to six ambassadors and has extended its geographical reach beyond Bristol into South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.\u00a0The ambassadors have increasingly taken leadership roles,\u00a0representing\u00a0community voices in steering groups,\u00a0Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement\u00a0panels, and research design committee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driven by UWE Bristol\u2019s leadership, \u00a0and supported by Bristol Health Partners, the programme has grown in scope, expanding \u00a0from a small pilot to a regional network across Bristol, North\u00a0Somerset\u00a0and South Gloucestershire.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme has supported over 100 research collaborations with universities, NHS organisations, and NIHR infrastructure e.g. Biomedical Research Centre: Bristol<\/a> and the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation and Behavioural Science<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Health Ambassadors scheme has also extended to serve other extended to other under-served groups, including disabled communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cCaafi Health ambassadors add real value from the very start of a research project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their ability to bring together diverse voices, create a welcoming environment, and support communication and trust enables open, inclusive discussions where everyone feels heard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They represent the gold standard of inclusive PPIE and are essential in ensuring that research outputs truly reflect the needs of all.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Sayambrita Mukherjee, Health Ambassador <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Role of Health Ambassadors<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Health ambassadors are recruited from underserved communities and provided with training and support to enable them to act as a trusted two-way bridge with the world of academia. They: <\/p>\n\n\n\n