Community engagement
HDR UK's community engagement work supports groups across the UK to explore how data can improve health and wellbeing.
Health Data Research UK’s (HDR UK) Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement strategy builds on work such as our Public Advisory Board, HDR UK Voices, and science festival activities to promote public trust and transparency in health data science.
The strategy was developed through public and professional consultations which highlighted the need to engage people not already involved in health data science, particularly under-served audiences.
Our new area of community engagement work aims to create opportunities for community groups working with under-served audiences to take the lead in exploring how data can support their health and wellbeing.
Exploring public attitudes to health data research across the UK
In early 2025, we commissioned a literature review to understand which under-served audiences our community engagement work should initially focus on. Exploring public attitudes to health data research across the UK, provides an overview of public awareness and understanding of health data and health research. It’s a resource for anyone to use to help shape their own engagement work. As a result of the findings, we are looking to support community organisations working with the following audiences:
- People from low socio-economic backgrounds
- People from minority ethnic backgrounds
- Older children and young adults aged 11–25 (especially in areas of deprivation)
- People over 65 (especially in areas of deprivation)
- People living in rural areas (defined as settlements of fewer than 10,000 people in England and Wales, fewer than 5,000 in Northern Ireland, and fewer than 3,000 in Scotland)
- People experiencing digital exclusion
Take the Lead community grants
In September 2025, we launched the Take the Lead small grants. Community groups across the UK applied for between £500 to £1500 to deliver a standalone project, event or series of activities exploring how data can support their health and wellbeing in their communities between January – March 2026. Importantly, the application had to be led by and embedded in community organisations primarily working with at least one of the following under-served audiences:
- People from low socio-economic backgrounds
- People from minority ethnic backgrounds
- Older children and young adults aged 11–25 (especially in areas of deprivation)
- People over 65 (especially in areas of deprivation)
- People living in rural areas (defined as settlements of fewer than 10,000 people in England and Wales, fewer than 5,000 in Northern Ireland, and fewer than 3,000 in Scotland)
- People experiencing digital exclusion
Find out more about the 2025 call
Join our HDR UK Voices mailing list to receive updates and further opportunities.
If you have any questions, contact involvement@hdruk.ac.uk.
Take the Lead: Funding 26 community-led health data projects
We are empowering communities across the UK to design and deliver creative, community-led projects that spark meaningful conversations about health and data.
Take the Lead project showcase
Find out about our first cohort of Take the Lead community projects, which will be delivered between January to April 2026.
How can data be used by communities for health and wellbeing?
Anna shares insight into HDR UK's community engagement work and new ‘Take the Lead’ micro-grants, which will support communities to explore health data in ways that matter to them.
