Inclusion and learning from the Listening Series project
Involving and consulting parents and families has been an important part of NPEU's work for many years. We want to involve and engage people from as many different backgrounds as possible when we are planning and carrying out research studies, and sharing the results, but we know we don't always do this as well as we could. We also know that the people who are under-represented in research are also the ones who are most likely to experience poor health and complications in pregnancy, birth and postnatally.
The Listening Series project specifically aimed to address this. In June 2021, around 20 people took up our invitation to join small on-line discussion groups, speaking on behalf of fathers, parents from Black and South Asian backgrounds, parents with physical disabilities, teenage parents, those experiencing social and economic deprivation and parents with learning disabilities. We got some amazing insights into how people respond to research. We also heard about what we need to do so that people feel they can get involved in planning research, take part in the research, or just be aware of what we do. We captured the themes that emerged from conversations in this film.
The themes identified in the Listening Series are also summarised in this booklet, Listening Series: Guidance for Researchers. It includes practical suggestions about how to make public and patient involvement in health research accessible and equitable for all groups in society.
Sumayya Mulla, Sally Darby, Harriet Williams and Serena Gilzean-Hughes who were involved in The Listening Series, joined our Public Involvement (PPI) Task Group in 2022, supporting us to embed the lessons we learnt in all the research we do. They have reflected their own thoughts on diversity and inclusion in the Listening Series page
Three years on from The Listening Series, they co-authored, with other members of the PPI Task Group, a commentary article, describing how the project was set up and how the team have embedded what they learned. In the article, we reflect on our experiences and learning since changing the way we work, to focus more meaningfully and effectively on inclusion.
Co-author Sumayya Mulla said:
The Listening Series was particularly interesting to me as we got to hear the experiences of people from so many different walks of life which made me realise how important it is to share these experiences in a way that helps to shape changes that improve services.
Another co-author Harriet Williams reflected:
Reflecting on my journey with the PRU-MNHC, both during The Listening Series and beyond, has been deeply meaningful. As a co-author of the paper and an active participant in the PRU, I've gained invaluable insights and forged genuine connections. Working closely with others who share my passion for improving maternal and child health has not only deepened my understanding of these critical issues but also strengthened my commitment to advocating for positive change. The experiences and stories shared have been incredibly inspiring, reminding me why this work is so important. It's been a privilege to be part of such a dedicated and impactful community.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in The Listening Series and to the University of Oxford's Departmental Public Engagement with Research Seed Fund, who funded this project.
- Auntie Pam's pregnancy peer support - Lisa Akester
- Maternity Voices Partnership - Agnes Agyepong
- Birth Companions - Kate Chivers
- Black Mums Upfront - Nana-Adwoa Mbeutcha
- Dads in Mind - Adrian Pell
- Fatherhood Institute - Kathy Jones
- Fathers Reaching Out - Mark Williams
- Future Men - Chris Stein
- Happy MOMents - Sumayya Mulla
- Motherhood Group - Sandra Igwe
- Mums Like Us - Sally Darby
- Muslim Bereavement Support Services - Sabina Patel
- National Maternity Voices - Mo Ade
- NDPH Public Involvement Panel - Scott Williams
- Parents1st UK - Celia Suppiah
- St Michael's Fellowship - Sue Pettigrew
- Shoreditch Trust - Jacqui Roberts
- Willow's Rainbow Box - Amneet Graham
- Young parents advocate - Harriet Williams
