Your Voice in Health Research Info

---

Over five days, the Your Voice in Health Research 2026 initiative brought together patients, public contributors, researchers, healthcare professionals, innovators, and community advocates to explore the future of inclusive health research. Through webinars, live discussions, innovation showcases, patient stories, and an in-person summit in Leeds, participants engaged in meaningful conversations about trust, lived experience, research participation, and health equity.

• Participants contributed feedback across the summit activities, generating over 50 insights and recommendations. 
• Trust emerged as the most important factor in improving participation in health research, particularly among underserved communities. 
• Lived experience voices were recognised as essential in shaping meaningful, patient-centred research. 
• Participants highlighted barriers including communication gaps, misinformation, discrimination, and limited community engagement opportunities. 
• There was strong support for involving more neurodivergent communities, racialised groups, and other underrepresented populations in future research. 
• Attendees emphasised that health research should be accessible to everyone and that community members should play an active role in shaping research priorities. 
• Innovation sessions showcased emerging healthcare solutions and demonstrated how technology can improve patient outcomes and research accessibility. 

The summit identified several priorities for future action:

✅ Build long-term trust with communities through transparent engagement.

✅ Embed lived experience throughout the research journey, from study design to dissemination.

✅ Improve researcher communication and community engagement skills.

✅ Increase outreach to underrepresented communities.

✅ Expand public awareness of research opportunities.

✅ Strengthen partnerships between researchers, healthcare organisations, community groups, and innovators.

Your Voice in Health Research 2026 demonstrated that inclusive research starts with listening. By bringing together diverse voices, experiences, and innovations, the event helped create a stronger foundation for more equitable, accessible, and community-driven health research across the UK.