How does the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) community engage with health and care research, and what supports meaningful involvement?
In South Gloucestershire, the Hong Kong BN(O) community has established a strong and well‑organised local network centred around the Yate Hub, launched in September 2023 at the YMCA. The hub is volunteer‑led and supported through established community networks, including those facilitated by The Care Forum (TCF).
This work was co‑produced through a partnership between the NIHR Research Engagement and Inclusion team, TCF, and Hong Kong BN(O) community leaders and residents. The project aimed to understand how the community engages with health and care research and what approaches best support meaningful and sustained involvement.
What did this project set out to achieve?
To raise awareness of health and care research and explore:
- Do people understand what health research is?
- What barriers exist to participation, and how can they be reduced?
- What would support greater involvement in research activity?
What we did
Initially designed as a three‑session awareness programme, the project evolved significantly in response to community feedback. Through a co‑produced approach involving NIHR, TCF and community leaders, the programme was reshaped into two structured, purpose‑driven activities:
Be Part of Research Focus Group
- Participants explored the NIHR Be Part of Research platform
- Feedback was gathered on usability, accessibility and understanding
- The session created space for detailed, practical questions about research participation
Research Champion Training
- Co‑delivered by NIHR and TCF, drawing on NIHR’s established Research Champion model
- 22 new Research Champions were trained, including a strong cohort of young people
- Training content was adapted collaboratively to ensure it reflected the needs of the community
Community leaders played a key role throughout the project, mobilising participation, leading communications and supporting engagement. Their leadership was critical to the reach and success of the work.
Key learnings
1. Structured, purposeful activity drives engagement
The community responded most positively to clearly defined, action‑focused opportunities rather than introductory or passive formats.
2. Clarity and transparency are essential
Participants valued clear information about what activities involved, what was expected of them, and what outcomes their involvement would lead to.
3. Strong potential for youth leadership
Young people showed enthusiasm, confidence and a willingness to take on leadership roles. A youth‑led Research Champion model has strong future potential.
4. Cultural context and practical delivery matter
Preferences around communication, structure and planning influenced engagement. Taking a co‑produced approach helped ensure activities felt accessible and appropriate.
5. High levels of education shape expectations
Many community members bring significant professional experience and expect purposeful, structured engagement opportunities.
6. Readiness for ongoing involvement
There is strong momentum within the community, including interest in further training and continued participation in research activity.
7. Co‑production strengthened delivery
The shared approach between NIHR, TCF and community leaders enabled the project to adapt effectively, maintain momentum, and deliver meaningful outcomes.
Recommendations
1. Provide clear, transparent information from the outset
Clear expectations about purpose, roles and outcomes support confident participation.
2. Prioritise structured, outcome‑focused engagement
Goal‑driven activities are more effective than passive engagement formats.
3. Maintain accessible pathways into Research Champion roles
Streamlined processes and clear role definitions will help sustain interest and participation.
4. Develop youth‑focused engagement opportunities
Supporting youth leadership will strengthen long‑term community involvement in research.
5. Demonstrate impact regularly
Sharing outcomes and progress builds trust and maintains engagement.
6. Build on existing relationships and community capacity
This project was enabled through a combination of NIHR’s expertise in research engagement, the leadership and mobilisation of community partners, and TCF’s local infrastructure and relationships. Sustaining this collaborative, co‑produced approach will support future engagement that is trusted, effective and community‑led.