Public involvement and engagement in the COVID-19 crisis

Vocal, a not-for-profit organisation hosted by the Univesity, brings people and health research together to benefit all. During the COVID-19 pandemic they have partnered on a range of initiatives to mitigate the health inequalities resulting from the crisis.

Prior to the pandemic, Vocal (formerly the Public Programmes Team), hosted by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, working in partnership with The University of Manchester, had already been working with people, patients and community groups to help reduce health inequalities in clinical and translational research.

Vocal supports the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility, the Research Design Service, University-based and other researchers to involve and engage people in health research.

While many non-COVID-19 studies were temporarily put on hold, Vocal contributes to the Manchester Rapid Research Response Group working with COVID-19 researchers to seek input from local communities, to develop innovative ideas to bring people and health research together.

Vocal’s BAMER Research Advisory Group (BRAG) is a group of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community leaders who provide input and advice to promote inclusive research that addresses the needs of Greater Manchester’s diverse communities.

To read the full article and to find out how VOCAL produced a digital, pandemic-inspired science and research comic for younger people, visit our contributing to the fight against coronavirus website.