Research Services

What We Do

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.
Staff presenting research
Staff with their research

Previous research projects

Growing Older and Planning Ahead

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.

Type 2 Diabetes Research

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.

Research into Day Services for People with Profound Learning Disabilities

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.

Our members also run their own research projects. For more information on this, please see below:

Enquires:

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

iar@mylifemychoice.org.uk

01865 204214