A new Public and Community Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) plan for the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC) has been developed through a partnership between Sussex Research Engagement Network (REN), Community Researchers, local VCSE organisations, and the SCRC. The plan is based on insights gathered during 2025 from almost 50 individuals from underserved communities in Sussex with lived experience of cancer, many of whom had limited awareness of research but showed strong interest in participating.
The majority of community members who shared their insights spoke a language other than English as their first or preferred language. As a VCSE partner of the Sussex REN, SIS hosted 7 Bilingual Community Researchers for this piece of work and supported the involvement of SIS Service Users to participate. Bilingual Community Researchers have a common language and cultural background with participants that they recruit and interview.
By working with VCSEs and Community Researchers, the project used trusted community connections to ensure the plan is inclusive and accessible. The resulting report ‘Co‑developing a Public and Community Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) Plan for the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC): A Community‑Researcher‑Led Approach’ provides community-driven recommendations to guide how the SCRC engages with communities in future public engagement.
“we present this Report as a crucial contribution towards improving cancer research and cancer care in a more inclusive way – one that centres the voices and needs of marginalised communities and supports pathways towards dismantling health inequities.”
Here are some of the headline recommendations from the report, the full report can be accessed at the link above:
- Multilingual Outreach Campaign, including technology-based innovative tools
- Peer Support Groups
- Bilingual Community Liaison Teams
- Community Advisory Panels
- Culturally Safe Workshops
- Social Media Engagement
- Early Detection Research
- Mental Health Support
- Faster Diagnostic Pathways
- Culturally Competent Care Models
- Accessible Research Participation
- Shift from consultation to collaboration with communities
- Publicly report back
- More funding to support new research with communities
- Provide support and signpost
To find out more about SIS Bilingual Community Research projects, you can get in touch with us, read more here, or watch our video where Community Researchers and participants reflect on being part of research.
