Cumberland Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) helps us understand the factors that affect people's health and wellbeing across Cumberland.
We have received £4.8million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to develop research capacity within the council and work with communities, organisations and academic partners to reduce health inequalities.
Our core aim is to increase research capacity within the council and carry out research with communities to better understand health inequalities
Our objectives are to:
- develop a culture for research excellence
- improve research communications
- build a sustainable research infrastructure
- strengthen research knowledge and skills across the council and communities
- strengthen partnerships with universities and research organisations
- support research-active communities
- develop networks with other local authorities
Research Plan
Our research plan sets out how we and our partners will gather evidence to better understand what affects health and wellbeing in Cumberland.
In 2025, we completed scoping reviews and analysed existing data to better understand the factors affecting health across Cumberland.
In 2026, we will begin primary research, including community-led studies and projects delivered with partner organisations. The findings will help shape and test future interventions that improve health and wellbeing.
The Picture in Cumberland
The Picture in Cumberland brings together a wide range of data about the wider determinants of health across Cumberland, the North West and England. It provides a baseline picture of the factors affecting health and wellbeing across Cumberland.
The report supports our commitment to becoming a research-informed council by using evidence to better understand local challenges and help inform decisions, policies and services.
For further information, read:
- Scoping reviews on the Cumbria Intelligence Observatory website
- Health determinants research plan
- Health Determinants Research Collaboration documents
Research themes
Our current research themes are:
- poverty
- access to housing
- pathways to employment
- mental health
- drug and alcohol use
- obesity and food insecurity
- children in care
Research skills training programme
The research skills training programme is open to council staff, elected members and community organisations.
The programme helps participants build confidence in using research, evidence and community insight to support decision-making.
Training sessions focus on:
- using curiosity to explore issues and generate idesa
- finding and using evidence to support decisions
- evaluating what works and identifying improvements
- working with communities
- using simple methods and tools to plan and evaluate projects
Book training sessions on Eventbrite
Community engagement and co-research
Community Co-Researchers work with us to identify research priorities, design projects and carry out research within local communities.
In 2026, Community Co-Researchers will receive training, work with research partners and lead community-based research projects across Cumberland.
This approach helps ensure research is shaped by local people and reflects the experiences of our communities.
The Art of Wellbeing Project
The Art of Wellbeing was a community engagement project that used creative activities to encourage conversations about health and wellbeing in Cumberland communities.
The project visited locations across Cumberland, inviting people of all ages to create characters and explore ideas about health, wellbeing and community life through creative activities.
The project culminated in a public exhibition at Rosehill Theatre, showcasing participants' work and sharing the stories and experiences collected throughout the project.
Find out more:
- The Art of Wellbeing project on Ragged Edge Productions website
- The Art of Wellbeing behind-the-scenes video on YouTube
Research activities and news
Research theme groups have been established with the University of Cumbria, bringing together expertise from the council, academic partners and communities to develop research projects and funding opportunities.
Community Co-Researcher projects and opportunities to take part in research will be announced during 2026.
Research governance
We have a Research Governance Framework to ensure research activities are ethical, well planned and beneficial to participants and communities.
Research is supported through:
- an Oversight Board that provides strategic direction and oversight
- a Community Advisory Panel that helps ensure communities shape our work
- academic partnership meetings that support collaboration and knowledge sharing
- operational team meetings that oversee delivery of the programme
Our partners
We work with a range of local and national partners, including:
- Cumbria CVS
- Healthwatch Cumberland
- University of Cumbria
- University of Lancashire
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Read about NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations
Watch the Cumberland health research appeal video
Get involved
Keep up to date with research projects, opportunities to participate and programme updates by subscribing to our newsletter.
You can follow us on:
For questions about the programme, contact us:
Email: [email protected]