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We are building a new website over the next few months.. so keep an eye out for changes ARC Wessex 2026-2031 This National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration works across the Wessex region in the South of England. It is funded to work from April 2026 until April 2031, and will cover Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, as well as Wiltshire. The NIHR ARC Wessex is led by Professors Catherine Bowen and Michael Boniface both based at the Univerisity of Southampton. The organisation is part of a network of 10 Applied Research Collaborations that cover England, and we work closely with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. We are a genuine collaboration of Universities, NHS Trusts, Local Councils, the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisations, and Industry partners. We work together to address real-world health and care challenges across the region and nationally through high-quality applied research. Our work leads to evidence that informs practice, improves patient care, and shapes policy. We work together with public contributors and our communities in everything we do. Read our New ARC Wessex Summary Our mission NIHR is committed to funding health, public health and social care research that leads to improved outcomes for patients and the public, and makes the health and social care system more efficient, effective and safe. We work closely with stakeholders across the system to ensure we address the challenges they face and are responsive to their research needs. National Institute for Health and Care Research Our mission Our collaboration Our collaboration Each NIHR ARC is made up of local providers of NHS services, local providers of care services, NHS commissioners, local authorities, universities, private companies and charities. These collaborations work together to conduct high quality, generalisable, applied health and care research that addresses the specific health or care issues in their region. NIHR ARCs act to increase the rate at which research findings are implemented into practice. The 11 ARCs work collaboratively to address national research priorities, with individual ARCs providing national leadership in their areas of expertise. Prior to April 2026 NIHR ARC Wessex ran from October 2019 until March 2026 - Link to this ARC Website From April 2014 until October 2019 the organisation was called NIHR CLAHRC Wessex. Contact Southampton Science Park, Innovation Centre, 2 Venture Road, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7NP 023 8059 7983 arcwessex@soton.ac.uk First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for getting in touch Send

53b76e5e-c361-4791-8e01-f147de703463 SOCIAL CARE: Evaluation of Southampton City Council’s Male Engagement Worker (MEW) Project Chief Investigator: Dr Michelle Myall, Associate Professor, University of Southampton Co-Investigators: Dr Sophia Taylor, Senior Research Assistant, University of Southampton; Dr Susi Lund, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Southampton Partners who collaborated on the research: Anjelica Finnegan, Senior Male Engagement Worker, Southampton City Council; Caroline Bate, Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Southampton City Council; Colin McAllister, Senior Public Health Practitioner, Southampton City Council; Francesca Mountfort, Male Engagement Worker, Southampton City Council; Kate Harvey, Public Health Consultant, Southampton City Council Start Date: 19 October 2023 End date: 30 September 2024 Why is this research needed? An estimated 2.4 million adults experienced domestic abuse in 2019 in England and Wales. In April 2021 the Domestic Abuse Act was introduced in England and Wales. This created a new definition of domestic abuse to include “any incidents or patterns of incidents of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over, who are or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Domestic abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse”. The Act required local authorities to expand their support and provision available to those experiencing domestic abuse. As part of a review by Southampton City Council into whether it meets the requirements of the new Act it found that alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse are not being effectively assessed or adequately supported. This is particularly true of young (step-) fathers. To address this gap, in 2020 Southampton City Council established a Male Engagement Worker (MEW) Project to work with high-risk male perpetrators of domestic abuse who have (step-) children and have local authority children’s services involved. This newly established service has yet to be evaluated. What were the aims? To evaluate Southampton City Council’s new domestic abuse service focusing around the newly created Male Engagement Worker Project. How was the study carried out? We carried out interviews with key informants and relevant stakeholders and analysed audit data collected about the service. What we found Overall, the MEW project was seen as valuable in supporting early intervention, improving safety, and helping individuals reflect on and change harmful behaviours. The referral process, particularly case consultation, was viewed positively for improving communication between professionals. As a small, non-statutory service, MEW faced challenges around funding, visibility, and capacity, and its work was complex, requiring long-term engagement. Integration into the Family Safeguarding Model which was introduced by the Council in September 2024, and brings together expert practitioners in multi-agency teams who can support parents who are experiencing domestic abuse, mental ill-health, alcohol and substance use, to address issues that could result in children and young people being at risk of harm or needing to come into care has strengthened multi-agency working but also created challenges, particularly around maintaining relationships and ensuring access to the service. Outcomes We shared findings with stakeholders through a presentation. We also produced a report and executive summary of findings and recommendations for Southampton City Council and shared learnings with other relevant local authority and third sector organisations. Findings were also shared at the Southampton City Council’s Domestic Abuse and Violence against Women and Girls Strategic Partnership Board to inform further funding and commissioning decisions of the MEW project.

596abb82-50f3-40e1-8d8d-a89073038260 ADOPTED: DASA - Domestic abuse and housing: local authorities' provision of safe accommodation for adults living with disabilities and/or long-term/life-limiting illness: a mixed-methods study Principal Investigator: Dr Michelle Myall , School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton. Team: Dr Sophia Taylor and Dr Susi Lund , School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton. Professor Parveen Ali University of Sheffield. Professor Lee-Ann Fenge Bournemouth University Mrs Samantha Dawson, Body Positive Dorset - Public and Patient Contributor Summary In 2025 an estimated 3.8 million adults experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales. Some people are at increased risk because of additional inequalities, vulnerabilities, and other factors. This includes adults with complex health and social care needs such as those living with physical disabilities and long-term/life-limiting illnesses. In April 2021 the Domestic Abuse Act was introduced in England. This created a new definition of domestic abuse to include any incidents of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over, who are or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Domestic abuse also includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and is a leading cause of homelessness. In England, the Domestic Abuse Act has changed housing law to give priority accommodation to a person made homeless because of domestic abuse and requires local authorities to offer support in safe accommodation and alternatives to refuge provision. Refuges are not suitable for all victim-survivors, particularly those who have additional and specific health and care needs. There is little research on the housing needs of domestic abuse victim-survivors with physical disabilities, long-term conditions or life-limiting illnesses. Understanding the requirements of these groups and how local authorities are meeting their responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act is important and timely. What are the study aims? Working with people with lived experience, local authorities, and domestic abuse organisations we aim to: 1) identify and explore the experiences of victim-survivors living with a physical disability and/or long-term/life-limiting illness affected by domestic abuse and 2) understand how local authorities are meeting their responsibilities in providing safe accommodation and prioritising those made homeless because of domestic abuse. We will explore what local authorities already provide and how they are responding to the requirements of The Domestic Abuse Act. We will review published research and policies, map existing housing provision, and undertake interviews with key stakeholders. To ensure the voices of people with lived experience are included and listened to, we will hold creative workshops, using art, poetry or stories to explore their experiences. Findings will be used to develop a toolkit for local authorities and their partners to inform practice and improve user experience. What will happen to the study findings? We will work with our project partners and people with lived experience to identify who we need to engage and how to reach them. We will hold an event at the end of the study to share findings with stakeholders. Findings will be reported on social media for the wider public, and attendance at conferences and publications in academic and professional journals.

Healthy Communities Healthy Communities Theme The health of people across our communities faces a number of challenges from the start of someone’s life until the end – our research teams are addressing inequalities, diet, domestic violence and a wide range of issues that touch on everyone’s lives in particular those in more vulnerable and underserved populations. Research projects ARC Wessex programme of research on Medicines Optimisation (MODIFY SPiDeR STOP-DEM) Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Exploratory research to examine the health impact of scams and fraud and the current knowledge and systems in the police and partner agencies for targeting and delivering victim support services Read more ADOPTED: DASA - Domestic abuse and housing: local authorities' provision of safe accommodation for adults living with disabilities and/or long-term/life-limiting illness: a mixed-methods study Read more ADOPTED: CEDA ‘Making the invisible visible’: identifying and responding to unpaid carers who experience domestic abuse from end-of-life care recipients Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Evaluating the Operation Encompass Scheme: A Qualitative Scoping Study Read more ADOPTED: IneQUIty in end of life care for children: Investigating experiences and families’ Needs after sudden and unexpecTEd deaTh in children and young people – the QUINTET study Read more Determining the effectiveness and outcomes of innovative interventions for people who have used stalking behaviours: An extension of the exploration of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership (MASP) Read more A qualitative case study to understand Young people’s food purchasing patterns in CONvenience stores in the school neighbourhood environment (Y-CON) Read more ENRICHER-C: Involvement in the criminal justice system & the impact on women's health in Dorset & Hampshire – Community comparison Read more Developing a core cohort of community researchers in Wessex: towards a sustainable Wessex Community of Practice for public health research co-production Read more WADE. Women and Desistence Engagement : An evaluation of a community-based, conditional caution pilot programme for women in the criminal justice system Read more Motivating and sustaining engagement of young people in improving their health and that of their communities Read more ADOPTED: Investigating the impact of food vouchers on diet composition and the prevention of childhood obesity Read more ADOPTED: Community pharmacy alcohol-related liver disease risk identification and linkage to care through development of a complex intervention (CIP-LINC) Read more Qualitative Data Preservation and Sharing (Q-DaPS) Read more ADOPTED: Exploratory research to examine the health impact of scams and fraud and the current knowledge and systems in the police and partner agencies for targeting and delivering victim support services Read more Co-POWeR - Consortium on Practices of Wellbeing and Resilience in BAME Families and Communities Read more Testing the effects of food product placement on customers’ visual attention and intended product purchases: a randomised trial in a virtual supermarket setting (Phase II) Read more Symptoms, Trajectory, Inequalities and Management: Understanding Long-COVID to Address and Transform Existing Integrated Care Pathways (STIMULATE) Read more ADOPTED: Mapping pathways of response for adult and child victim-survivors of domestic abuse in Southampton City Read more ENRICHER – involvEment iN the cRiminal justice system & the ImpaCt on women’s Health dorsEt & hampshiRe Read more CHAMPION: Children whose mothers are involved in the criminal justice system in Dorset & Hampshire: developing health and social care outcome indicators Read more How to Support children with cancer, or another serious condition, and their parents during the COVID-19 outbreak Read more Developing a web resource to support families bereaved during COVID-19 Read more Mental health Burden of Increased Living costs: Local Support (My BILLS) Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Young people’s barriers to mental health services Read more POST DOCTORAL PROJECT: Early detection of chronic liver disease in community settings Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Comparing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): systematic review and network meta-analysis Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: ADAPT: The cross-sector implementation of NICE-recommended CBT-based interventions for young people in care: Framework Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: DIGNIFIE Gender-seNsitive evaluatIon oF a prIson alternativE Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: High Harm Domestic Violence Perpetrator Pilot Evaluation Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: The Gateway Study a randomised controlled trial, economic and qualitative evaluation to examine the effectiveness of an out-of-court community-based Gateway intervention programme aimed at improving health and well-being for young adult offenders; victim satisfaction and reducing recidivism Read more Social network facilitated engagement in people who are Homeless to address InEqualities in alcohol related Liver Disease - The SHIELD feasibility study Read more A national evaluation of Project Cautioning And Relationship Abuse (‘CARA’) awareness raising workshops for first time offenders of domestic violence and abuse Read more Wessex DIET: Determining the Impact of covid-19 on food sEcurity in young families and Testing interventions Read more Domestic Abuse and Life-Limiting Illness: identifying and supporting adults at risk (DALLI Study) Read more Prevention schemes for female vicitms and offenders in Hampshire and Dorset Read more GOODNIGHT Covid-19 to care-home-based vulnerable individuals Read more The feasibility of community pharmacies testing for Hepatitis C in people who inject image and performance enhancing drugs Read more Testing the effects of food product placement on customers’ visual attention and intended product purchases: a randomised trial in a virtual supermarket setting (Phase I) Read more The Wessex FRIEND Toolbox (Family Risk IdEntificatioN and Decision) Read more Mental health hub projects Adolescent Resilience to OVercome Adversity: EmpoweRment and intervention development – the ROVER study Read more Pharmacological And Non-Pharmacological treatment of ADHD in Pre-schoolers: a systematic review and network meta-analysis: the PANPAP study Read more Read our publications here Read more Publications

Mental Health Hub We focused on addressing areas of mental ill health linked to our deprived rural and coastal communities: neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g. attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), treatment resistant anxiety-depression, addiction (alcohol and gambling); as well as supporting front line workers (addressing knowledge gaps in paramedics, social prescribing framework for link workers). Building on our prior work we have: Increased involvement of public and people affected by mental health issues in mental health research. For example, we now have in excess of 300 public contributors per year who have joined our gambling research database via our digital tool and have established a gambling Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) that has already contributed substantially to grant applications and informing service improvements. Increased our joint working with our Mental Health Public Advisor, into multiple extension research projects and regional grant submissions, contributing to a successful application for NIHR Advanced Fellowship and application to ARC competition. Expanded PPIE activities via our partnership with Raising Voices in Research (RViR). For example, an innovative scheme has matched voluntary and charity organisations with researchers, covering marginalised groups such as older adults, military veterans, men with mental health conditions, and young neurodiverse people. Discovered new important findings for treatment of ADHD; notably the finding (paper submitted) that ADHD with co-morbid autism responds preferentially to a particular type of medication (atomoxetine). Secured additional funding to sustain research in areas of focus. For example, the AUD in Older Adults project has led to a Leverhulme/British Academy research grant (“Alcohol Research? No thanks”), a University of Southampton seed award (“Our Voice Matters: Older People, Stigma & Alcohol”), and Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT-4) grant (“Evaluation of VCia’s Capital Card Scheme”). In addition, secured three UKRI rapid evidence review grants, and a Partnership grant, for research into gambling-related harms. Our research projects Developing Pathways for older adults who are also drinking at increased-risk levels: Hampshire Older adults Alcohol Pathway (HOAAP) Read more Gambling and Alcohol Use Addiction in Military Veterans Read more Comparative Effectiveness of Methylphenidate vs. Second‑ and Third‑Line Medications for Children with Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Read more Social Prescribing Link Workers framework: supporting complex needs of adults living with physical and mental health long term conditions Read more Identifying the knowledge gaps of paramedics managing patients with mental health issues Read more ADOPTED: Gambling in the UK: An analysis of data from individuals seeking treatment at the NHS Southern Gambling Service Read more Understanding psychosocial determinants of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults: exploring the role of social networks and loneliness in living with AUD (OLA study 2). Read more Development of a core outcome set for nurse wellbeing: a Delphi study Read more Work lives and Wellbeing of Mental Health Nursing Workforce Read more Understanding, addressing, and meeting the complex needs of people living with long term physical and mental health conditions: a qualitative study Read more Pharmacological And Non-Pharmacological treatment of ADHD in Pre-schoolers: a systematic review and network meta-analysis: the PANPAP study Read more Adolescent Resilience to OVercome Adversity: EmpoweRment and intervention development – the ROVER study Read more Mental health Burden of Increased Living costs: Local Support (My BILLS) Read more Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into community Read more Mental health projects

Long Term Conditions Long Term Conditions Theme The Long Term Conditions (LTC) Theme, led by Professor Mari Carmen Portillo with Deputy Lead Dr Dorit Kunkel, delivered a broad programme of research and implementation designed to improve the lives of people living with long‑term conditions and multiple long‑term conditions. The theme’s work spanned deprescribing, medicines optimisation, treatment burden, physical activity, service improvement, co‑production, and person‑centred care. A major area of impact is medication deprescribing and optimisation. The MODIFY project has significantly enhanced safety and quality of life for frail older adults by adopting a structured, multidisciplinary approach to medication reviews. It supports clinicians through training, tools, and collaborative working models, and is now embedded within wider system initiatives such as the Wessex Health Innovation Network’s Polypharmacy Action Learning Sets . Public engagement activities—including creative outputs like a deprescribing song—have helped raise awareness and encouraged culture change in medicines optimisation. Further medicines‑related research has identified ongoing risks related to inappropriate prescribing of anti-inflammatory painkillers for older adults and those with conditions such as kidney or heart disease. A GP‑focused risk‑identification tool was developed to address this. Another study highlighted that many people on disease‑modifying drugs undergo high‑frequency monitoring despite long‑term normal results, suggesting opportunities to reduce unnecessary burden and NHS workload. The Treatment Burden Study , involving more than 800 Dorset adults, showed that high burden is common and often driven by lifestyle challenges, appointment access, financial pressure, and complex medication regimens. Its follow‑on project, SPELL, produced short, practical measures for clinical use. The findings also informed improvements for Care Coordinators in Southampton, enabling them to better identify and support individuals struggling with their conditions while reducing demand on GP time. The theme optimised community‑based support systems, developing a Link Worker framework for social prescribing and piloting the LifeBoost app to guide people with LTCs to personalised resources. The European Optim Park project expanded access to Parkinson’s support via the REPISALUD directory, now used internationally. Policy influence is another key outcome. Research on COVID‑19, physical activity, and mental health has shaped recommendations adopted by bodies including Sweden's Health Technology Assessment Agency and the European Commission. Findings from Optim Park have informed NICE guideline NG252. Additional impacts include shaping national and international understanding of Huntington’s disease care needs, advancing person‑centred assessment tools such as the Living with Long Term Conditions Scale, and contributing to workforce development through the Wessex Academy of Skills in Personalised Care , which has trained more than 1,500 professionals. Finally, work on physical activity maintenance has expanded understanding of the barriers and enablers affecting digital health engagement among NHS staff, strengthening regional partnerships. Research projects ARC Wessex programme of research on Medicines Optimisation (MODIFY SPiDeR STOP-DEM) Read more ADOPTED: Personalised social and self-management support for better living with multiple long-term conditions in the community (CO-ACTION) Read more Social Prescribing Link Workers framework: supporting complex needs of adults living with physical and mental health long term conditions Read more Evaluating impact of personalised care at service at service and system levels: Learning from the Wessex Academy for Skills in Personalised Care (WASP) programme. Read more Understanding barriers and enablers of using the Living with Long Term Conditions scale as part of routine care for people from under-served groups living with type 2 diabetes Read more PARTNERS II: Testing implementation and evaluation of a digital tool for multisectoral support and management of people living with Parkinson’s disease and/or arthritis. Read more Avoiding care escalations through targeted care coordination for people with multiple long-term conditions – a knowledge mobilisation project Read more Deprescribing and Optimisation of Medicines IN Older people with Heart Failure and Frailty (DOMINO-HFF) Read more Change in treatment burden among people with multimorbidity: Protocol of a follow up survey and development of efficient measurement tools for primary care Read more ADOPTED: Treatment burden in people below the age of 65 with multimorbidity in primary care: A mixed methods (SPELL) Read more ADOPTED: (SIFT) Sensors in Fatigue Tracking in Parkinson’s. Exploring the relationship between perception of Fatigue and the performance of physical activities in people with Parkinson's with fatigue using wearable sensors Read more Reframing responsibility through public empowerment: examining environmental cues influencing poor diet Read more Non-digital support for maintaining physical activity in people with long-term conditions – within Maintenance Of physical acTivity beHaviour (MOTH) programme Read more Digital support for maintaining physical activity in people with long-term conditions Read more Development of policy recommendations to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity and mental health in individuals with multimorbidity: a mixed method study. Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Understanding risk stratification of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Development of a decision aid for offloading device selection for people with diabetic foot ulceratio Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Breast Cancer Choices: Evaluation and implementation of a digital patient-centred decision aid to support genetic testing in mainstream care. Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Multidisciplinary Ecosystem to study Lifecourse Determinants and Prevention of Early-onset Burdensome Multimorbidity (MELD-B) Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: MELD Read more POST DOCTORAL PROJECT: Understanding, addressing, and meeting the complex needs of people living with long term physical and mental health conditions: a qualitative study Read more Testing the living with chronic illness scale Read more Medicines optimisation Read more Interventions to support physical activity for adults (MOTH) Read more MODIFY: The development and iMplementation Of a multidisciplinary medication review and Deprescribing Intervention among Frail older people in primarY care Read more PARTNERS Project: Development and implementation of a digital tool for multisectoral support and management of long-term condition Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: EnablExercise in Crohns: A qualitativE study to uNderstAnd the Barriers and faciLitators to physical activity and Exercise IN children and adolescents with CROHN’S disease Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: ExACT-CF: Exercise as an Airway Clearance Technique in people with Cystic Fibrosis – A randomised pilot trial Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Happier Feet Read more OPTIM Park - Optimization of community resources and systems of support to enhance the process of living with Parkinson’s Disease: a multisectoral intervention Read more Improving support for self-management (WASP) Read more Mental health hub projects Understanding, addressing, and meeting the complex needs of people living with long term physical and mental health conditions: a qualitative study Read more Role of patient-assessed functioning as a predictor of health service use in patients with long term mental health conditions Read more Read our publications here Read more Publications Collaborative project: Improving review appointments for people with long-term conditions

dcd0d821-4fe8-4cdb-b80d-1d7503b45f61 Wessex DIET: Determining the Impact of covid-19 on food sEcurity in young families and Testing interventions Joint Lead: Professor Nisreen Alwan and Dr Dianna Smith . Co Applicants : Nida Ziauddeen , Tim Lloyd, Dr Marta Disegna , Ravita Taheem, Sally Shillaker, Fran Richards, Duncan House, Sara Crawford. Partners: Southampton City Council, University of Southampton, Bournemouth University, Solent NHS Trust. starts: 1 November 2021 Ends: 31 March 2024 Publications: Household food insecurity risk indices for English neighbourhoods: Measures to support local policy decisions News: New map shows regions in the UK with a higher risk of food insecurity Lay Summary Aim of the research : We will explore the impact of system shocks on food security, diet quality and health in young families across Wessex, using the covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns as an example of such shocks. We will find out if Council-supported food aid initiatives to counter difficulties around adequate and healthy diet are acceptable, well taken-up and impactful in local populations. This will lead to a toolkit that can be used by Councils to decide which initiatives are best for their populations. Background: The covid-19 pandemic restrictions are likely to have negatively impacted UK families in many ways, including food insecurity (not having enough food because of cost or other barriers, or not having good quality food). Food insecurity has negative health impacts in the short-term including weight gain, malnutrition, poor mental health; these may lead to longer term health outcomes including obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. Local Councils in Wessex have a range of initiatives to help this situation, including food pantries, where eligible families can purchase a range of items at a greatly reduced price, and recipe boxes. Design and methods During this 2-year project we will: Use statistical modelling to explore the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on important aspects of health and wellbeing in Wessex’s families with children under age 12, including their diet quality, food availability, weight status and mental health. Interview families to explore how they coped with the changing social and economic circumstances during the pandemic particularly in relation to their food quality and purchasing behaviours, Work with the local Councils in Southampton and Dorset to evaluate the initiatives to improve diet in disadvantaged families including food pantries. Public Patient Involvement: We involved public contributors in the design of this research through three meetings with 12 contributors overall. We have a public contributor as a co-applicant. Our PPI activities will ensure the interventions reflect the individual needs of young families in the target groups, and that the outreach activities to support the interventions are properly communicated. We already have ongoing public engagement activities involving Sure Start within our existing ARC project which we will continue to utilise. We have and willcontinue to actively involve people on the frontline of food aid systems in shaping this research. Dissemination: We will produce an implementation toolkit for Councils to aid decision-making on food-aid initiatives. Non-academic outputs will be specific to the audience and will include videos, presentations, social media posts and flyers. For public health/councils, short reports on the findings in the form of policy briefs will add to academic content and presentations. We will follow successful models like the oral health posters to Family Hubs delivered by Solent Health. What did we find out? We explored the impact of system shocks on food security, diet quality and health in young families across Wessex, using the covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns as an example of such shocks. We used statistical modelling to explore the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on diet quality, food availability, weight status and mental health in England. We wanted to find out if food aid supported by local councils to counter difficulties around adequate and healthy diet are acceptable, well taken-up and impactful in local populations. We carried a review of the literature on the impact of food aid initiatives in households with children and found that accessing food aid was linked to reducing food insecurity and improving diet quality in some studies. Food aid initiatives that allow users to choose food items and provide other support services are most effective. We also carried out a review of the literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity in households with children and found that most studies showed that the pandemic worsened food security. We assessed the impact of food clubs (a type of food aid initiative that charges a small fee for a set number of items) on food security, diet quality and wellbeing in households accessing these clubs. We did this by recruiting people accessing food clubs to our study and asking them to complete a survey at recruitment and after at least three month of using food clubs in Southampton and Dorset. 90 people took part in the study and 52 people completed a follow-up survey. We calculated food security at baseline, with 42% reporting low and 43% very low food security. Among participants with follow-up (n = 52), low food security was 41% and very low food security was 18% at follow-up.11 participants also took part in a semi-structured interview that explored how they coped with the changing circumstances during the pandemic and their views on food clubs. Two themes explored impact and experiences of food club. Impact illustrated how participants consumed a more varied diet, experienced less financial pressure, and improved health, wellbeing and social interaction. Experiences of food clubs explored limitations of time and food range at clubs, developing a sense of community and overcoming stigma. There is a sense of a positive impact of food clubs on the food security, diet quality and mental wellbeing of participants when exploring both survey and interview data. What did we do with this new Knowledge? We have produced a toolkit to aid decision-making on food aid initiatives, to allow them to assess the impact of the interventions and consider how best to implement new interventions. This can be used by local councils to plan new initiatives or by the interventions themselves to monitor impact. We visited the food clubs we recruited participants from and shared the study results with the people accessing the clubs, as well as the staff and volunteers there. What Next? Future research will evaluate the process and impact of food aid interventions using the toolkit. We have applied for further funding to explore how to improve the quality of food provided through aid. Publications The impact of food aid interventions on food insecurity, diet quality and mental health in households with children in high-income countries: a systematic review | Public Health Nutrition | Cambridge Core . The COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity in households with children: A systematic review | PLOS One A mixed methods study exploring food insecurity and diet quality in households accessing food clubs in England | BMC Public Health

Growing social care research capacity Professor Lee-Ann Fenge Social Care lead Social care touches every family in Britain, yet there is a paucity of social care research and historically limited access to the research infrastructure that shapes NHS and social care practice. The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex Social Care Programme was created to change this. Our overarching aim was to build the skills, confidence and partnerships that allow social-care staff, carers and local organisations to use research to improve people’s lives. Working with local authorities, voluntary groups and unpaid carers across Wessex, the programme supports the DHSC vision for a fairer, more integrated system that helps people to live well at home for longer. Research champions funded within three local authorities (BCP, Dorset and Portsmouth City Council) and with voluntary sector organisations including MYTIME , and Help and Care have supported a culture of research engagement across the workforce in these organisations, including through facilitation of journal clubs, joint publications with academics and involvement in research projects. Adults Services within BCP Council have now adopted the research champion model across all of their adults teams as part of their workforce development strategy. Driving Improvement in Services and Local Policy The programme’s practical studies have directly improved service; from staff training on inclusive communication to the redesign of community engagement and recruitment practices. Co-produced publications in leading social-work journals and presentations to professional conferences are spreading these lessons nationally. We have also contributed to national ARC Social Care events to share learning. Building Skills and Confidence in the Workforce - More than 40 social care professionals have received structured research training through internships, fellowships and the new REAL (Research, Evaluation, Audit and Literature) Course co-designed with Hampshire County Council, and participants are already leading improvement projects - evaluating recruitment practices, developing databases of community activities and strengthening induction and mentoring for new staff. Feedback shows greater confidence, better use of evidence in daily decision-making and stronger retention through professional pride. Joint projects between universities and councils have changed how services are planned and delivered for example: Day Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities research informed Hampshire County Council’s strategic plan. In Portsmouth the Single-Handed Care Review enabled efficiency savings while maintaining safety and quality. Research Champions and a Researcher in Residence worked with voluntary organisations including Help and Care and MYTIME to explore the needs of unpaid carers, including young carers and those supporting a loved one waiting for a dementia diagnosis known as the Waiting Well Project which included an exhibition at Poole Arts Centre in January -February 2026 highlighting the challenges carers face. Our research projects SOCIAL CARE: Building Bridges: Elevating Research Culture in Social Care through Collaboration, Qualitative Insight and Relationship-Driven Impact Read more ADOPTED: FLOWS Planning for Frailty: Optimal Health and Social Care Workforce Organisation Using Demand-led Simulation Modelling Read more SOCIAL CARE: Evaluation of Southampton City Council’s Male Engagement Worker (MEW) Project Read more SOCIAL CARE: Building capacity in social care through co-produced research and a research learning partnership between University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council Read more SOCIAL CARE: Local Authority Adult Social Care Recruitment and Retention research project (BCP/Dorset) Read more Dorset projecr

Workforce & Health Systems Theme lead Professor Michael Boniface Theme lead Deputy theme leads Dr Dan Burns Health Systems Dr Chiara Dall'ora Workforce Workforce & Health Systems Theme We know that the health workforce are an asset and in short supply. As part of our ARC research we are planning a series of studies. We will look at the best ways for staff to work - for example where and when. We also want to improve conditions - in part by ensuring they have time to do the jobs we are asking them to do. Cultivating a flow of pioneering ideas that offer the potential to transform people's lives and the economy using information technology is a motivating force that drives us. Our capacity to rapidly turn these ideas into benefits for partners through collaborative, applied research and innovation makes Southampton a truly exciting place to be. Research projects ADOPTED ActMed-VW - Healthcare professional's experiences of Access to Medication for people on Virtual Wards who are in their last year of life Read more ADOPTED PROJECT - PREMAC 2 STUDY Development and application of Patient Report Experience Measure for patients accessing ACute oncology services: Read more Implementation and Evaluation of the Advanced Practice Research Toolkit Read more Adopted Project: Paramedic delivery of end-of-life care (PARAID) Study Read more PROCED-DST: PROactive, Collaborative and Efficient complex Discharge – Decision Support Tool Read more FORTH – FORecasting Turbulence in Hospitals Read more Predicting nurse staffing requirements -validation and scoping extension study (PREDICT-NURSE validation and extension) Read more Identifying the knowledge gaps of paramedics managing patients with mental health issues Read more Wessex SNSDE Study (SETT Centre) Read more ADOPTED (PhD): PREPARE-to-ACT study: Preparing for and Responding to Emergencies – A multi-phased qualitative investigation of Patients’ And members of their RElational networks’ decisions to use urgent and emergency care during Anti-Cancer Treatment Read more PUNDIT – Predicting hospital Usage Numbers via a DIgital Twin Read more ADOPTED: A Study to Evaluate the Introduction of new Staffing Models in Intensive Care: a Realist evaluation (SEISMIC-R) Read more PREDICT-NURSE – feasibility: Predicting Patient Acuity/Dependency-Based Workload from Routinely Collected Data to Assist with Nursing Staff Planning – feasibility study Read more ADOPTED: Nurture-U (Southampton): A longitudinal survey for student metal health and wellbeing Read more ADOPTED: FLOWS Planning for Frailty: Optimal Health and Social Care Workforce Organisation Using Demand-led Simulation Modelling Read more ADOPTED: SORT-IT (Salisbury Operational Research Track – Improving Together) Read more Workforce Evaluation Toolkit project (WET) Read more ADOPTED: Social Prescribers In Deprescribing Role (SPiDeR) Read more ADOPTED: Improving patient safety, workforce wellbeing and NHS efficiency through improved shift patterns for nursing staff: study protocol Read more PARIEDA - Prediction of Acute Respiratory Infection outcomes prior to Emergency Department Attendance Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Geospatial mapping of emergency calls from older adults to ambulance services in the South Central region, with a focus on people living with dementia: a feasibility study. Read more Predicting Patient Deterioration Risks in COMMunities Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Developing and testing a Patient Report Experience Measure for patients accessing Acute OnCology services: The PREMAC study Read more ADOPTED: Consequences, costs and cost-effectiveness of different workforce configurations in English acute hospitals: a longitudinal retrospective study using routinely collected data Read more POST DOCTORAL PROJECT: The career aspirations of nurses working in the research delivery workforce: a cross-sectional survey Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Magnet4Europe: Improving mental health and wellbeing in the health care workplace Read more PROCED: PROactive, Collaborative and Efficient complex Discharge Read more Mental Health, Workforce and Well-being Research Framework - ARC Collaboration Read more Safer Nursing Care Tool and nurse staffing requirements Read more Shift Pattern Feasibility Read more Improving community health care planning Read more CLECC Toolkit and background: Creating Learning Environments for Compassionate Care (CLECC) Read more COVID-19 Emergency Department Project Read more Mental health hub projects Work lives and Wellbeing of Mental Health Nursing Workforce Read more Development of a core outcome set for mental health nurse wellbeing: a Delphi study Read more Read our publications here Read more Publications Access our evidence brief here Read more Evidence briefs Reports, toolkits and support Find the information and tools to improve your work here Read more

Ageing & Dementia The Ageing and Dementia theme undertook a broad portfolio of research aimed at improving the health, care, and quality of life of older adults and people living with dementia across Wessex and beyond. The theme was led by Stephen Lim with Dr Kinda Ibrahim as deputy theme lead Our work spanned the development and evaluation of novel interventions, as well as the use of routinely collected data to understand how healthcare services can be organised more efficiently and deliver higher‑quality care. Neuro Digital and Neuro Online studies generated new insights into the factors that influence engagement with digital health technologies among people living with neurological conditions and dementia. This work is helping to shape more inclusive and accessible digital health solutions. We have also delivered innovative interventions that mobilise volunteers to support older adults in both community and hospital settings, helping them remain active and prevent functional decline. The ImPACt study successfully implemented an online intervention across seven community clubs in Hampshire and Dorset, which has since been adopted as routine practice by Brendoncare community clubs. The PIVOT study demonstrated the feasibility of volunteer‑led physical activity programmes across three NHS trusts in England, and plans are underway to secure further funding to expand this model nationally. The IDA study strengthened partnerships with NHS trusts and third‑sector organisations to disseminate the Active Lives digital intervention, designed to support older adults in increasing their physical activity. Through collaboration with six NHS trusts and four third‑sector organisations across the South of England, Active Lives reached 5,002 older adults, significantly extending its impact. Through the STOP-DEM project, we generated new evidence on how deprescribing can be undertaken safely and acceptably, with meaningful involvement of patients and carers. Findings have influenced clinical education, professional practice, and policy discussions locally and nationally. Research outputs have been embedded into undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare teaching through a co-produced short film, reached frontline clinicians through NHS and Royal College events, and informed national conversations on medicines optimisation via policy briefings and parliamentary roundtables. Widespread media coverage has further raised public and professional awareness of deprescribing in dementia. Research projects Adopted Project: ACCESS D: Advancing Community Collaboration and Engagement Strategies in Dementia Read more ARC Wessex programme of research on Medicines Optimisation (MODIFY SPiDeR STOP-DEM) Read more Refinement of an eFalls tool - a multivariable prediction model for the risk of ED attendance or in-hospital fall or fracture in individuals accessing mental health or learning disability services - eFalls Read more ADOPTED: Understanding how and why live-in care packages are arranged and sustained, when dementia is the primary support need: A mixed methods study. Read more Developing Pathways for older adults who are also drinking at increased-risk levels: Hampshire Older adults Alcohol Pathway (HOAAP) Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Neuro LTC: Assessing Baseline Factors, Critical Events and Fatigue in Long Term Neurological Conditions Read more EnTech (Enabling Technology): Investigating the enabling and inhibiting factors to the use of internet-based support tools for caregivers of people with dementia, and how to promote engagement. Read more The feasibility and acceptability of a collaborative deprescribing intervention to reduce anticholinergic burden among hospitalised older patients. Digital Anticholinergic Reduction Tool (DART) Read more Understanding the Networks, Effects and Teams involved in Community Alternatives to ACute Hospitalisation for Older People in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Region – CAtCH-NET Read more ADOPTED: Mobility assessments in hospitalised older adults: study protocol for an e-survey of UK healthcare professionals Read more ADOPTED: An observational longitudinal cohort study to investigate Cortical Disarray Measurement in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease (CONGA) Read more ADOPTED: (SIFT) Sensors in Fatigue Tracking in Parkinson’s. Exploring the relationship between perception of Fatigue and the performance of physical activities in people with Parkinson's with fatigue using wearable sensors Read more Development, evaluation and provision of an intervention for primary and community NHS staff to help carers and homecare workers supporting people living at home with dementia with their continence. Read more ADOPTED: FLOWS Planning for Frailty: Optimal Health and Social Care Workforce Organisation Using Demand-led Simulation Modelling Read more PIVOT: Promoting Increased physical actiVity in hospitalised Older adults with Trained volunteers Read more ADOPTED: SPLENDID Social Prescribing for people to Live ENjoyably with Dementia/memory problems In Daily life Read more ADOPTED: Community Alternatives to aCute Hospitalisation for Older People who have Fallen (CAtCH-Falls) Read more Wessex Frail2Fit – A feasibility and acceptability study of a virtual multi-modal intervention delivered by volunteers to improve functional outcomes of older adults with COVID-19 discharged from hospital Read more Developing training for person-centred care: adapting the Chat & Plan for use in domiciliary care Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Geospatial mapping of emergency calls from older adults to ambulance services in the South Central region, with a focus on people living with dementia: a feasibility study. Read more Understanding psychosocial determinants of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults: exploring the role of social networks and loneliness in living with AUD (OLA study 2). Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Optimising Outpatients: Effective service transformation through face-to-face, remote and digital care delivery Read more Development of a structured deprescribing intervention for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment in primary care (STOP-DEM) Read more Development, evaluation and provision of an intervention for primary and community NHS staff to help carers and homecare workers supporting people living at home with dementia with their continence. Read more ADOPTED: Incidental Interaction: Novel Technology to Support Elders-as-Athletes through Augmenting Everyday Interactions Read more Wessex NHS Insights Prioritisation Programme Project (NIPP) Read more ADOPTED: Investigating Quality of Care for People with Dementia Undergoing Cancer Treatment in Ambulatory Care (ImPaCT) Read more Creating Learning Environments for Compassionate Care (CLECC) in mental health settings: an implementation study Read more Promoting person-centred care using the CHAT&PLAN conversation guide Read more INVOLVing pEople with cognitive impaiRment in decisions about their hospital nursing care (INVOLVER): a pilot study Read more Neuro Digital: From Attitudes to Strategies Read more Neuro Online (Formerly From Clinic to E-Clinic): Evaluating the Implementation of the My Medical Record Platform in Young-Onset Dementia and Huntington’s Disease. Read more IDA: Implementing a Digital physical Activity intervention for older adults Read more The ImPACt study - Improving physical activity of older people in the community Read more CLECC Toolkit and background: Creating Learning Environments for Compassionate Care (CLECC) Read more StOP UTI project: Strategies in older people's care settings to prevent infection Read more Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into community Read more The PD Life Study: Exploring the treatment burden and capacity of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers Read more DIALOR: DIgitAL cOaching for fRailty (DIALOR) Read more Material Citizenship Framework Project Read more Mental health hub projects Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into community Read more Publications Read our publications here. 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Koren Luddington - Social Worker Autism and Neurodivergence Team - Portsmouth City Council < Back How I found my way S A L T to social worker Koren Luddington - Social Worker Autism and Neurodivergence Team - Portsmouth City Council Becoming a Social Worker was a slightly unexpected career path for me. After qualifying with a degree in Speech and Language Therapy at university, I fully intended on having a life-long career as a Speech and Language Therapist. During my training, I took a real interest in Learning Disability and Autism and got my initial post-qualification experience in this area. Being young and responsibility free, after a couple of years of working, I spontaneously decided to leave the country and explore the world for a year. Unfortunately, in this time the UK went into recession and when I returned home, there were limited opportunities arising in the NHS. Koren Luddington is a Social worker in Portsmouth At this point, the novel pilot scheme 'Step Up to Social Work' was brought to my attention. At first, I was only paying the idea lip service, as Social Work didn't really appeal to me - albeit, I knew very little about it. However, my skills and qualifications did tally with the requirements of this employment-based route into Social Work, which would also secure me a Masters degree upon completion. As I progressed through the stages of the application process, I began to find the subject varied and interesting. Through the 18 months of on-the-job training and studying, I felt more and more passionately about Social Work ideology and that this was in fact the most suitable career choice for me. I worked for 10 years in Children's Services, giving me an excellent foundation to build and hone my Social Work skills. When I saw a job advertised specialising in autism, I felt like this would be a great opportunity to return to this area of interest as well as improving my knowledge and experience of working in Adult Services. Since my initial experience of working in this area, there has been enormous progression in the understanding and approach towards Autism as a cognitive variance within the wider context of neurodivergence. I have enjoyed refreshing and updating my understanding of this shift in thinking and find it fascinating that there continues to be a tussle between whether autism should be considered via a social model or medical model framework. Listening to the lived experiences of the neuro-divergent people that I am working with, really got me thinking about many facets and themes that recurringly have impacted on these young people's lives. For example, is a diagnosis beneficial? If so, why is it needed and what support is inaccessible for those without a diagnosis? For what reason are autistic people 6 times more likely to experience mental health crisis than the general population?How well do universal services understand and accommodate the neuro-divergent needs of individuals? I found these kinds of questions sparking my curiosity and I was keen to explore whether there may be some responses to these questions. So, when the opportunity was presented to link with Portsmouth University as a visiting researcher, I was interested to find out more. Never having associated myself with 'academia', I was unsure whether my skills and knowledge would meet the necessary requirements for the role. It seemed like a completely different world from my day-to-day working experience; a world that I had perceived as being elusive and exclusive. My concerns were alleviated as I was matched with a mentor from the University, who was empathic and reassuring of my self-doubts. She made me feel as though all questions were valid and she was able to provide explanations that felt personalised and relevant to my field of work. Practically, my mentor has helped me to get set up on the University computer system, showed me how to access the library journals, search facilities and introduced me to new referencing software (which was not a 'thing' when I was last studying!) Crucially, my mentor has helped me to structure and narrow down my thought processes to identify a focus and objective for my research ideas. She has encouraged me to begin to critically analyse relevant topics and to identify and categorise themes in research. Undertaking training in realist evaluation has taught me the theoretical and structural basis that I needed to be able to consider the functionality of neurodivergent support services, within the importance of contextual systems and environments. It's inspiring to feel that researching the intricacies of service implementation can help provide much needed information; going some way to begin answering those initial stirring questions. My aim is to continue refining my ideas and learning from the wealth of research available in this area. If this could lead to working on a research project that would demonstrate an evidence base for useful and valuable support services for the neurodivergent community, then this would be hugely worthwhile progress towards improved opportunities and outcomes for autistic and neurodivergent people. Previous Next