The Rural Durham Community Research Network invites VCSE organisations and community groups to join us for a free workshop, which will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the potential of community-led research and the difference this can make to rural communities.

The workshop will take place on Monday 23rd March from 9.30am to 1.30pm at The Witham, 3 Horse Market, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY, with lunch and refreshments provided. 

The workshop will also be offered in Weardale and Derwent Valley.

About the network

The network supports people in rural communities to take the lead in researching the issues that matter most to them. It places power in the hands of local communities, supporting them to shape questions, lead research, and use local insight to drive meaningful change in communities.

The network supports a growing community, and in 2024, we delivered workshops, training and funded four VCSE organisations to deliver research.

About the workshop

In this workshop, we will explore different ways voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations and their members can be involved in research on topics that matter to them – from local bus services to young people’s mental health or the climate crisis.

Workshop content will include:

• What counts as a researchable topic, and how to choose relevant research questions.
• When should members of a community organisation do research themselves, and what training and support is needed?
• What are the pros and cons of working in partnership with a larger voluntary organisation or university?
• How can community members feed into research agendas and commission research from others?
• How can communities use research findings effectively to influence policy and practice?

Anyone with an interest is welcome to join us.

The workshop will be facilitated by Sarah Banks, Centre for Social Justice and Community Action and supported by Durham Community Action. 

Last year a number of organisations joined these workshops, participants said:

“Really great opportunity to look at research collaboratively – feeling more confident about the usefulness of community-led research.”  – Derwent Valley Workshop Participant

“ Really informative, great discussions and feeling positive about creating change.”  – Weardale Workshop Participant

Training and funding

Follow-up research training sessions on how to design and carry out community-led research will be offered for those interested in April and May 2026, and small grant funding will be available to take projects forward.

For any enquiries, please email jemma.austin@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk