Successfully Partnering with Research Delivery Networks: Lessons from the PREACH Study on Engaging Care Home Communities

The PREACH (Prioritising Research through Engagement with Older Adult Care Homes) study was designed to systematically capture and prioritise research uncertainties that matter most to key stakeholders in care homes, including residents, staff, and family members. A crucial factor in reaching over 1,000 participants was our collaboration with the Enabling Research in Care Homes (ENRICH) network, and facilitation through the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN).

Delivering ‘In-House’ Activities: Recognising the challenges of engaging diverse populations within care homes, especially older adults and those with cognitive impairments, PREACH adopted an inclusive, multi-method approach. Alongside an online survey, we delivered in-person group discussions within care homes themselves.

The RDN, funded by NIHR to support health and social care research delivery, was instrumental in delivering these ‘in-house’ activities, recruiting care homes within the   ENRICH network.

• Recruitment and reach: Relationships built by ENRICH were key in inviting care home managers to participate. Between December 2024 and June 2025 we worked with 8 regional research delivery networks (RRDNs) across England, sending 120 printed activity packs to various research offices and individual care homes. This resulted in 47 care homes completing the study, with research suggestions from 373 residents, 330 staff members, 62 managers/owners, and 126 friends & family.
• Tailored materials: Researcher and occupational therapist Kerry Micklewright is co-designed accessible activity packs in collaboration with two care home activity co-ordinators. These included visual prompts, word associations, and case-based scenarios to encourage discussion and enable meaningful input from residents. Activity co-ordinators advised on font, colour, images, and content to maximise inclusivity and make facilitation easier for care home staff.
• Flexible delivery: While some care homes facilitated the activities independently, RDN agile research delivery team (ARDT) staff and ENRICH links played a vital role, often delivering the activity sessions and supporting residents to fill in suggestion cards, including writing down ideas for them. This flexibility was essential given the busy and unpredictable nature of care home environments.
• Ongoing support: Regular online drop-in sessions for care home activity staff. These sessions provided an invaluable opportunity to discuss the activity pack, ask questions, and share ideas.
• Continual feedback:  We actively sought feedback about the project itself, which was then collated in a Padlet. This served as an open and anonymous source for all care homes and RDN teams to contribute their ideas and comments.  At the end of the project, we shared key findings promptly, through our Newsletter to care homes.
• Incentives: To encourage participation and the return of data, care homes were offered the chance to enter a prize draw for a £50 “Love2Shop” e-voucher. All participating homes also received certificates of participation.

While feedback on the activity packs was positive, particularly regarding the use of photos and diagrams, we found that simply delivering suggestion cards to every bedroom was less successful. This highlighted the critical need for a care home or research staff member or family member to support residents in completing them.

Tips for Successful Collaborations with RDNs:

From our experience with PREACH, we recommend:

• Prioritise co-design and accessibility: Invest time in co-designing materials with care home staff and residents to ensures the activities are accessible and engaging.
• Engage with RDN as early as possible: Onboarding across regions takes time, so include RDN in project planning where possible.
• Empower frontline staff: Recognise and empower care home activity staff as facilitators of research, providing guidance, but also flexibility to adapt activities based on their knowledge of their own residents.
• Offer comprehensive support & seek feedback: Regular online drop-in sessions and direct demonstrations build confidence; act on feedback throughout.
• Provide practical incentives: Consider incentives for the individuals directly facilitating the research, such as prize draws, and acknowledge their contribution with a certificate.
• Be flexible and adaptive: Care homes are dynamic environments. Staff shortages, infection control restrictions, and varied interpretations of the research task can occur. Maintain flexibility in your approach and timelines.
• Embrace all feedback: Understand that feedback from residents and staff may be less formal and academic, often reflecting immediate concerns and lived experiences. This raw, ground-level data is incredibly valuable and provides a direct mandate for the types of issues research should address.
• Regular communication and updates – Keep both care homes and RDN colleagues updated.  Showing gratitude for their efforts goes a long way.
• Report findings promptly: Share key results quickly, even before full analysis is reported, to maintain interest and close the loop.

Our collaboration with the RDN, their ENRICH network, and engaged care home was invaluable. This model demonstrates how direct engagement with residents, coupled with empowering activity staff, can deliver inclusive and responsive research, setting a roadmap for future impactful studies in long-term care.

About the Author:

Lisa Irvine, Project Lead for the PREACH study. I am a health economist by background and have extensive experience in care home research, most recently on DACHA and CHAPPI studies, and developing the VICHTA trials archive

With valuable contributions from RDN colleagues:

• Beth Myles, ENRICH link for Derbyshire Healthcare NHSFT
• Emma Marsh, ENRICH co-lead at East of England RRDN
• Rachael Fothergill, Care Home In Reach, Lincolnshire Partnership NHSFT

For more information, visit www.carehomepriorities.com or contact the project lead, Lisa Irvine, at [email protected]