The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex Knowledge Mobilisation programme focuses primarily on building capacity and capability and mobilising evidence across the priority areas of
- Mental Health and Community Care (including domiciliary care and care homes)
Approaches
The main approaches the knowledge mobilisation team will take are:
- Deploying four Knowledge Mobilisation Fellows aligned to specific programmes, co-produced with stakeholders, and embedded with relevant system/provider teams
- Integrating related activities in patient, public involvement and engagement, research inclusion and implementation
- Working alongside Health Innovation Wessex, local transformation, quality improvement and innovation teams in ICBs, NHS provider organisations, and care sector
- Mapping current resources/capacity/capability to support knowledge mobilisation across Wessex, and awareness of knowledge mobilisation, attitudes and readiness for change
- Developing case studies of knowledge mobilisation to draw out learning about what works in practice
Further information can be found on the ARC Wessex Knowledge Mobilisation webpage
KM Projects underway in ARC Wessex
- Support for KM Activities to ARC Wessex Mental Health Hub
Support for KM Activities to ARC Wessex Mental Health Hub
This project focuses on supporting knowledge mobilisation (KM) activities within the ARC Wessex Mental Health Hub. It aims to generate practical learning from providing KM support and apply effective mobilisation strategies to selected mental health research projects.
The work seeks to strengthen the translation of research evidence into practice and improve engagement between researchers, practitioners, and system partners.
- Mapping Evidence Use in Home Care and Care Home Decision-Making
Mapping Evidence Use in Home Care and Care Home Decision-Making
This project explores how research evidence informs decision-making across the home care and care home sectors. It aims to identify existing pathways through which evidence is accessed, shared, and applied, as well as barriers and facilitators influencing its use.
The findings will support improved integration of research evidence into operational and strategic decision-making.
- Identifying Skills and Developing a KM Framework for ARC Wessex Mental Health Hub
Identifying Skills and Developing a KM Framework for ARC Wessex Mental Health Hub
This project aims to identify the core skills, knowledge, and competencies required for effective knowledge mobilisation.
It will inform the development of a structured framework to guide KM professionals and researchers, strengthening capability and consistency in mobilisation activities across ARC Wessex.
- Recruitment and Retention in Home Care
Recruitment and Retention in Home Care
This project works collaboratively with home care managers to refine and address a meaningful research question relating to workforce recruitment and retention.
The project aims to ensure research outputs are directly relevant to sector needs and contribute to identifying practical, evidence-informed solutions to workforce challenges.
- Supporting Care Home Staff on Dehydration Risk Assessment Tools
Supporting Care Home Staff on Dehydration Risk Assessment Tools
This project responds to a question raised by a care home manager regarding best practice and supports staff to identify, appraise and apply current evidence related to dehydration risk assessment.
A resource is being developed to support sector staff to identify and appraise evidence.
- Understanding Decision-Making and Evidence Use in Care Homes Through System Mapping
Understanding Decision-Making and Evidence Use in Care Homes Through System Mapping
This project examines the wider system influences affecting decision-making and evidence use in care homes. Using system mapping approaches, supported by literature review and stakeholder engagement, the project seeks to understand contextual factors that shape evidence adoption.
Engagement with registered managers aims to ensure the mapping reflects real-world operational needs and supports KM capacity building.
ARC Wessex Knowledge Mobilisation Team
Knowledge Mobilisation Senior Programme Manager
- Rae Tobin
Programme Manager
The University of Southampton
e: r.j.h.tobin@soton.ac.uk
Contact for further information
- Philippa Darnton
e: philippa.darnton@hiwessex.net
Knowledge Mobilisation Fellows
- Kate Lippiett
- Jenny Roddis
- Nicola Andrews
- Mirembe Woodrow
