Wigan Health & Research Forum

The Wigan Health and Care Research Forum, developed in partnership between the Research Management Team from WWL and the Public Health/Transformation Team at Wigan Borough Council, it brings together all sectors of health and social care (the Healthier Wigan Partnership), Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprises (VCFSEs) and the wider research community across Greater Manchester, to talk about opportunities to do more research in and with our communities and neighbourhoods.

Research opportunities and collaborative discussions are developing through the Wigan Health and Care Research Forum, attended by delegates from across community-based voluntary groups and health and care service providers across Wigan.

The discussions show a great sense of enthusiasm to talk about building research knowledge and research infrastructure across the Borough.

The main aim for the Research Forum is to develop a network of like-minded people to gain an understanding of the Wigan population’s health needs and foster discussions about further health improvement opportunities with a focus on improving take up in research participation which is reflective of our Wigan community. 

Each event is designed with the input from all members of the Forum, with conversations about Progress with Unity – a New Era for Wigan Borough, addressing the wider needs of our communities and how research might help to address some of these needs. The forum has heard about NHS Research Funding Opportunities and an introduction to what research looks like in health and care.

The Workshops held at recent events have begun to develop an understanding of projects/initiatives across all sectors, which may inform future research projects.  One workshop largely focussed on how we might break down barriers to access services and research (focus on health inequalities), how we might support public health behaviour change; co-production with our Wigan residents and building research capability?

The 4th event took place on Friday 23rd May 2025 with a focus on diabetes. 

If you want to register interest in attending or presenting at a Forum, please contact alison.hegarty@wwl.nhs.uk

Archived Slides from Wigan Health & Care Research Forum

Click title to view or download slides.