20 Oct 2026
Dorset REN – I Am More Than … A community named project
Aiming to increase diversity in health and care research by building local partnerships with voluntary organisations and underrepresented communities.
Who are we
The NHS England Research Engagement Network (REN), launched in 2022, aims to increase diversity in health and care research by building local partnerships with voluntary organisations and underrepresented communities.
Funded by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, REN helps address barriers to participation and improve research design. Dorset REN was established in 2023 as part of Cohort 2.
Our vision
The Dorset REN was designed to improve research inclusion among marginalised communities.
Co-produced with people who have experienced homelessness, it developed community researchers, created an equity monitoring dashboard, expanded community and voluntary sector research capacity, increased diversity in clinical research, launched Dorset’s Community Research Engagement Network (CREN), and is now working to embed inclusive research as business as usual.
“The project has allowed me to express to you what it means to be homeless … It can happen to anyone. It’s not a lifestyle choice … hope that this project will affect some change.”
Kevin
Co-unity researcher
Inclusive research begins by engaging with people in the context of their lived experiences. We started with the recognition that everyone is more than one label or identity. People who are homeless and vulnerably housed were invited to express who they are on individual tiles.
“[Dorset REN] has shown me that inclusive research is not just a methodology — it is a mindset, a value base, and a commitment to doing things differently. I am excited for what the future holds, both for REN and for The Lantern Trust, as we continue to champion this approach and drive meaningful change for our communities.”
Mike Graham
CEO, The Lantern
“HealthBus believes research like REN matters because people’s stories should shape the systems designed to support them.
We are committed to research that turns real lives and lived experience into learning, improving care, dignity, and outcomes.”
Kate Hibbitt
Chief Operations
BU Team
If you are an external partner or researcher, please get in touch.
Gallery
Artwork from our stakeholder event
More from Dorset REN – I Am More Than … A community named project
Latest Reports & Publications
Research Engagement Network (REN2) Development Programme stakeholder event report- Phase Two
A report capturing key learnings from the second stakeholder event
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Co-designing inclusive community involvement in research: refections on the I Am More Than… project with people experiencing homelessness
Another co-written paper presents reflections from both community researchers with lived experience of homelessness and their supporting organisations on being a part of the ‘I Am More Than…’ project.
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'Getting Involved in Research Workshops' Report
A report capturing key learning points from two 'Getting Involved in Research' workshops
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Research Engagement Network (REN2) Development Programme stakeholder event report
A summary of the activity and outcomes from the stakeholder event
Download PDF
