Community Researchers

The voice and role of the older person in research and programme development is often restricted to roles on advisory groups. Bristol Ageing Better is determined to achieve much more than this by establishing a team of older community researchers who will be integral to all the evaluation activities undertaken as part of BAB.

Community researchers are perhaps best described as researchers who have no background in research or evaluation as a paid career. It is increasingly argued that they should have a central role in research and evaluation because it ensures it is carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ and ‘for’ them. 

They are currently:

• Working to maximise participants completion of our Common Measurement Framework
• Conducting an audit of Community Kick-Start Fund applicants
• Supporting the bespoke evaluation of two Group Work and Peer Support pilot projects taking place in care homes
• Conducting a mini Social Return on Investment study on one of the Wellbeing pilot projects
• Visiting other Ageing Better areas to share learning 

 

They have already:

• Conducted an audit of volunteers and volunteering in Bristol
• Undertaken an asset mapping exercise of resources within Greater Fishponds
• Completed training on Social Return on Investment
• Completed a mapping exercise in Greater Brislington