The launch of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West brought together researchers, health and care professionals, public contributors and partners from across the region at Sandy Park Conference Centre in Exeter on the 18th May to celebrate six years of impact through PenARC and ARC West and look ahead to the next phase of collaboration and innovation.
The event marked an important milestone as PenARC and ARC West officially transition into the joint ARC South West. Throughout the day, speakers reflected on the achievements of the past six years while setting out ambitions for the next funding period.
Opening the event, Professor Vashti Berry, Co-Director of ARC South West, outlined a vision for the future built around inclusion, collaboration, innovation, national connectivity and adaptability.
Professor Berry said advancing inclusion must remain a priority across all areas of the ARC’s work, ensuring research is meaningful and applicable to local communities.
“If our work is to be meaningful, its findings must be applicable to those most often underserved. That means being intentional about who we involve, who benefits, and whose voices shape our research.”
She highlighted the importance of public contributors in shaping research priorities and ensuring research delivers real-world impact.
Professor Berry also stressed that collaboration would continue to sit at the heart of ARC South West’s approach, with partnerships across the NHS, local and national government, academia, the voluntary sector and industry playing a key role in addressing complex health and care challenges.
Looking ahead, she spoke about the opportunities presented through stronger engagement with industry and the life sciences sector, while recognising the need for new skills, new partnerships and greater responsiveness in a changing research and policy landscape.
Welcoming new colleagues and partners from Bristol and the wider West of England, Professor Berry described the expanded collaboration as an opportunity to strengthen regional and national connections and accelerate improvement across health and care systems.
The event also featured a keynote address from Natalie Owen, Head of NIHR Infrastructure at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), who discussed the wider national policy context shaping health and care research.
Her presentation explored the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England, the “three big shifts” in healthcare – from sickness to prevention, hospital to community, and analogue to digital – and the role of research and innovation in building an NHS fit for the future.
Natalie also highlighted the NIHR’s “four I’s” priorities: inclusion, investment, innovation, and impact, and the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing to implement learning.
A session led by the ARC South West Communications team celebrated collaboration and the people behind the ARCs’ success over the last six years. Attendees watched a new video (see below) reflecting on PenARC’s achievements and the future ambitions of ARC South West, while staff professional and personal milestones were recognised.
The event also showcased examples of impactful research from across the collaboration.
Lucy Condon, Public and Patient Facilitator for the ARC, presented the ARC West Behaviour in Schools Study, which focused on the effects of disciplinary behaviour management strategies in schools on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The co-produced project, developed with young people, has informed national conversations around relational and restorative approaches in schools and contributed to parliamentary briefings and policy discussions. Watch animations co-produced with young people about the impacts of school discipline and isolation sanctions in schools here.
Professor Vicki Goodwin reflected on more than two decades of work implementing effective falls prevention programmes for older people, including the FaME (Falls Management Exercise) programme. Her presentation highlighted the importance of maintaining evidence-based approaches to exercise and rehabilitation to support older people to remain independent and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
Dr Kristin Liabo, Shahla Bahmanyar and the Routes to Wellness team shared work focused on inclusive approaches to research and community engagement, alongside priorities for strengthening research inclusion across ARC South West during the coming year.
In one of the day’s more interactive sessions, members of Sing and Sign Jukebox – an inclusive Makaton singing and signing choir – led attendees in learning to sign songs including True Colours and Take Me Home, Country Roads.
The day concluded with themed “World Café” discussions, giving attendees opportunities to shape future priorities, identify opportunities for collaboration and innovation, and connect with new colleagues and partners from across the expanded ARC South West network.
Networking continued over lunch, with information stands showcasing support and development opportunities across the ARC, including communications, patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), research capacity building, knowledge mobilisation and initiatives such as the Health Services Modelling Associates (HSMA) programme, Making Sense of Evidence (MSE) workshops and Evidence Synthesis Team Search and Review Clinics.
The launch event created space for reflection, celebration and forward-thinking discussion, with attendees sharing ideas and building new connections across organisations and disciplines. The energy and engagement throughout the day highlighted a strong collective commitment to improving health and care through collaboration, inclusion and impactful research, as ARC South West begins its next chapter.