Interested VCSE organisations, community groups, and individuals are invited to join a series of free weekly community research training sessions happening throughout April and May 2026.

Have you ever wanted to evidence and share your community’s experiences?

This webinar is for staff and volunteers from VCSE organisations and community groups who support rural communities in County Durham, who want to explore local issues and make their voices heard.

Join us for a free workshop, which will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the potential of community-led research and the difference this can make to rural communities.

Join us for a free workshop, which will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the potential of community-led research and the difference this can make to rural communities.

Join us for a free workshop, which will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the potential of community-led research and the difference this can make to rural communities.

Don’t miss our next network meeting, ‘Funding for Research’ where we will explore the common pitfalls and good practices when applying for funding to support research, providing attendees with practical tips and information.  We’ll be joined by guest speakers from the British Science Association and The William Leech Research Fund.

Join us for the first meeting of the Rural Durham Community Research Network — a new network bringing together VCSE organisations, researchers, and policy makers with an interest in community-led research that reflects the unique needs, voices, and priorities of rural Durham.

This final session is about turning ideas into action. We’ll bring together everything they’ve learned including shaping research questions, designing projects, and making plans to move forward with confidence.

Research doesn’t end when the data is analysed. This session focuses on sharing findings in accessible, ethical, and creative ways, and thinking about the kind of change participants hope their research will help make.

Good research needs a clear plan and thoughtful analysis. In this fourth session, we’ll look at how to design a research project that’s robust and ethical, and explore practical ways to analyse the data it generates.

Community research can take many forms—from walking conversations and photography to collages and films.

In this session, we explore creative and participatory ways to gather insight and involve others in the research process. 

Good research starts with good questions. In this session, we focus on how to gather useful information through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, while also thinking carefully about consent and using existing data.

Community research begins with connection. This first session welcomes participants into a supportive space to explore what community-led research is, set shared expectations, and start shaping their own ideas.