The Community Change lab is an inclusive space where people with learning disabilities plan and conduct research alongside people without learning disabilities. This type of work is sometimes called 'co-design', 'co-research' or 'participatory research'. The research is designed to make change happen, to create innovations to improve people's lives.
We will start our research from Cumbria as this is the place where people First is based and we will start our co-research with people with learning disabilities as this builds on existing strengths.
Our team of co-researchers includes:
Our core team six problems that people with learning disabilities experience:
Each problem is unique, but the problems can also add together making a bigger problem. The diagram below shows how they overlap with one another.
Join us for the launch of The Community Change Lab, a new space for collaboration, learning and action in co‑research with people with lived experience of learning disability.
This interactive afternoon will bring together people with lived experience, practitioners, service leaders, funders, commissioners and academic researchers who share an interest in doing research with people, not about them.
The event will include a keynote presentation from people with lived experience of co‑research, practical workshops to develop research questions, and collaborative sessions focused on co‑creating the future of co‑research. You’ll also hear more about the vision and purpose of the Community Change Lab and how you can be part of it going forward.
