ARC GM | Social Care Research Champions

What does this role involve?

The role is flexible but can include:

Using networks to identify high priority research areas in social care
Supporting and sharing research informed events across social care
Learning how to design and develop feasibility studies in high priority areas

About us

The NIHR ARC-GM supports applied health and care research that responds to, and meets the needs of local populations and local health and care systems.

Our overarching goal is to improve the health of the GM population and the quality and sustainability of the health and social care they receive. We are achieving this by co-producing excellent research in prioritised areas and by enhancing its impact through supported implementation into policy and practice.

Meet our Social Care Research Champions

Alice Monaghan

Quality and Compliance Manager

Knoll Care Partnership

Find out more about Alice

What interested you in applying for a Research Champion award?

A new challenge and chance to connect social care and the independent, family led business I work for to be part of something making an impact.

What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Research Champion award?

I hope to support colleagues within the social care sector to build their confidence and skills in engaging with and participating in research. This includes raising awareness of how research can improve practice, outcomes, and policy, as well as promoting a research-positive culture among practitioners and care providers.

I would like to look at ways to foster stronger links between academic researchers and frontline social care staff. I want to act as a conduit for co-producing research that is meaningful, relevant, and immediately beneficial to those receiving and delivering care.

I hope to ensure that social care research is more equitable, inclusive, and person-centred.

Ashley Bryne

Team Leader

Wigan Council

Find out more about Ashley

What interested you in applying for a Research Champion award?

Being provided with the support and tools to try and implement positive outcomes/start conversations about positive change. Also, broadening my own knowledge and understanding of research, other professionals and services.

What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Research Champion award?

I'm hoping to build a positive engagement with research, networking and sharing best practice within my service area.

Ben Mattinson

Managing Director / Physiotherapist

Wyncourt Nursing Home

Find out more about Ben

What interested you in applying for a Research Champion award?

I really enjoyed research during my time at university and found it both engaging and rewarding. When I worked as a physiotherapist in sport, I actively implemented evidence-based practice, which reinforced for me the value of research in improving outcomes. Since moving into social care, I’ve wanted to carry that forward—embedding research into my own practice and contributing to the development of the sector in whatever way I can.

What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Research Champion award?

Over the course of the Research Champion award, I hope to further develop my skills and build confidence in applying them within my practice. I would like to expand my networks, get involved in more research projects, and ultimately bring a positive spotlight to social care by helping to embed research and evidence-based practice in the sector.

Chantal Corneill

Registered Manager / RGN

Wyncourt Nursing Home

Find out more about Chantal

What interested you in applying for a Research Champion award?

I am passionate about research. There is a lack of research in health & social care, I feel research is much needed in our area as it will improve resident care and outcomes.

What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Research Champion award?

I am hoping to improve practice at Wyncourt. There could be a possibilty that this could be shared with other nursing homes to support and improve their practices.

Dave Wilson

Adults Commissioning

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Find out more about Dave

What interested you in applying for a Research Champion award?

The opportunity to get 'first hand' insight into research.

What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Research Champion award?

Increasingly over the last few years, I've seen the benefits that rigorous academic research can bring to social care practice - an evidence base, a degree of independent assessment/evaluation, profile raising - and was keen to play an active role in promoting research in social care settings and building research capacity.

Rachael Duffy

Finance and Quality Assurance Manager

Direct Care Tameside

Find out more about Rachael

What interested you in applying for a Research Champion award?

As soon as I became aware of the Research Champion Award, I was immediately interested in applying. As an organisation, we have always involved ourselves in research and development opportunities wherever we can but we've never before had the opportunity to conduct our own research. I think it's vital that research is developed and shaped by those working directly in social care and therefore I was delighted that the Research Champion award facilitates this.

What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Research Champion award?

Over the course of the Research Champion award, I'm hoping to develop my skills as a researcher, enhance my networking skills and make contacts to successfully complete my research in menopause and social care. I'm hoping this will have a positive impact on the sector, it's staff and those at the heart of everything we do, the service users themselves.