Health research doesn’t always include the diversity of our communities, which can limit how well it works for many.

Through the Community Voice in Action Grant Programme, Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) is working in partnership with Kingston University, Raising Voices in Research and participating VCFSE organisations in Kingston supporting communities under-represented in health research.

The aim is to

• Identify the barriers that communities face to participate in health research
• Explore meaningful ways for these communities to be involved in research
• Identify community health research priorities

Who we are looking for

We are looking to work with 6 VCFSE organisations delivering services in the borough of Kingston supporting one or more of the following communities:

• People from ethnic and cultural minorities

• Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants

• LGBTQI+ communities

• People with learning differences

• People experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, deprivation, or homelessness

• Children and young people

• Older people

• People with mental health conditions, dementia, or addictions

What’s involved

You will be supported to deliver 2 workshops with your community in October / November 2026 focussing on:

• Demystifying health research
• How communities want to be engaged in research
• Identifying research priorities and key themes

This is flexible and we can discuss the best way for you to deliver these sessions in your setting.

The training you will receive

• 1 online group training session with all other participating VCFSE organisations on Tuesday 22nd September from 10am-12pm
• One to one support for your organisation

 

Reporting requirements

• Community participants will need to complete 2 short surveys
• Your organisation will also be asked to complete a survey describing the workshops you delivered, capturing the insights from the sessions

Funding and support

• Each organisation will receive a £3,000 grant to deliver the programme
• Support will be provided throughout 

 

Information session

• Please join us on Tuesday 22^nd June from 11.30am – 12.30pm for an information session to find out all about the programme and have the chance to ask any questions. Please book your place here.

What happens next

Insights gathered from the workshops will:

• Inform a Local Plan for Research, outlining community-led priorities
• Contribute to a Research Collaborative event (February 2027) bringing together:
  • VCSE organisations
  • Researchers
  • Community participants
  • Infrastructure partners

How to apply

Applications can be submitted through the online form below

The closing date for applications is Monday 13th July 2026 at 12:00pm 

If you would like to receive the application form in a different format please email communityvoice@kva.org.uk 

Apply Here

 

Timelines - Key dates

Date	Stage
Thursday 18th June 2026 at 12.00pm	Applications Open
Tuesday 23rd June 2026 from 11.30am 12.30pm	Information Session
Monday 13th July 2026 at 12:00pm	Applications Close
Wednesday 22 July 2026	Successful applicants will be notified
Tuesday 22 September 2026 from 10.00am – 12.00pm	Training session for VCFSE organisations hosted on Zoom
October – November 2026	Participating organisations deliver 2 activities/sessions
December 2026	Reporting ata included in a Local Plan for Research
February 2027	Event to share insights from the programme

 

Contact

If you have any questions or would like support with your application, please get in touch:
communityvoice@kva.org.uk.

We’re happy to arrange a conversation to support you.