Research Services

We believe it is important that research into the lives of people with learning disabilities is co-produced, with experts by experience at the forefront. Our experienced team of researchers are trained in research techniques and have worked with academics from institutions such as Manchester Metropolitan University, The Open University and the University of Oxford.

Examples of this include:

• Co-researching by conducting interviews, reviewing findings and presenting research;
• Co-authoring research reports;
• Participating via steering groups and completing questionnaires and interviews, drawing on their lived experiences.

Warning: This film contains offensive and upsetting language used to describe people with a learning disability during the First World War.

This research explores the lives of women with learning disabilities during World War I. These women contributed to the war effort, but their work was not recognised at the time. The project set out to learn more about their experiences and the roles they played.

Women with learning disabilities were involved in every stage of the research. They worked alongside historians to decide what questions to ask and how to share the findings. They visited museums, libraries, and archives to uncover stories that had been forgotten.

The research showed that women with learning disabilities faced many challenges during World War I. It also highlighted how differently women were treated then, and it revealed their strength and resilience.

To help share their stories, the project created a film to give these women a voice.

This research project and film were made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players.

The project aimed to improve support for older people with learning disabilities and family carers by producing resources and recommendations to help people think about the future.

MLMC researchers were part of the core research team. They attended all the project meetings, gave advice about different parts of the research and co-chaired the end of project events.

Upon completion of the research, the team produced a presentation about their experience of working on the project which they presented at a national conference in Iceland.

This research was aimed at gaining the views of underrepresented communities in health care prevention and management of Type 2 Diabetes.

Our research team worked with the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford. The team were supported to understand the purpose of the research and learn research techniques. In addition, the team co-produced easy read materials in the form of a research summary and consent forms.

The steering group, made up of our expert researchers, academics from the Open University and support staff, was established to guide research into day service provision for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

The group helped to shape the research questions, tested out tools for engagement, analysed findings and made recommendations.

For a quote or more information on our research services, please get in touch with Yazz.

yazz@mylifemychoice.org.uk

01865 204214