Researchers are looking for VCSE organisations with paid employees in health and wellbeing-related roles to be involved and shape the study.

This is a collaborative effort between researchers at the University of Sheffield and Leeds Beckett University, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Information from The VCSE Workforce Study Team

Our study, “Supporting the VCSE Paid Workforce: An Action Research Study,” aims to understand how we can better support VCSE employees in health and wellbeing-related roles (e.g., Social Prescribing Link Workers, Health and Wellbeing Coaches, Care Coordinators, Community Development Workers, and Youth Workers) to improve their wellbeing and encourage them to stay in their roles.

Two ways to get involved

• Join an Action Group: We are forming two action groups (one in South Yorkshire and one in West Yorkshire) comprised of VCSE managers, staff, commissioners, infrastructure organisation staff, and service users. These groups will play a crucial role in guiding the research, influencing the development of support strategies, and providing valuable local perspectives. Action group members will attend approximately eight 90-minute meetings (online or occasionally face-to-face) over the next two years, including focused sessions in Spring 2026 for co-designing support strategies. Participants will also be invited to two stakeholder events. VCSE staff and service users will receive £50 per meeting for their time.
• Participating Organisation: We are also seeking six VCSE organisations (three in West Yorkshire and three in South Yorkshire) to partner with us in the study. Participating organisations will work with us to co-design and pilot professional and wellbeing support programs for their staff. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about your organisation’s support systems, try new approaches, and contribute to a growing body of knowledge in this area. Participating organisations will receive an honorarium of £1,000.

There is further information about the study, criteria for participation and what you’ll be asked to do in each of the expression of interest documents which you can download below.

Phases of the study

The study will be conducted in three phases:

• Phase 1: Exploring staff experiences and current support systems within participating organisations.
• Phase 2: Co-designing and implementing new professional or wellbeing support strategies.
• Phase 3: Evaluating the implementation process and its impact on staff.

Benefits of participation

Both groups of participants will receive a monetary contribution for their time, detailed above in ways to get involved. In addition:

Action Group Members: You will get to contribute your expertise, influence the research direction, enhance your CV, and network with other professionals.

Participating Organisations: You will gain insights into staff support, improve recruitment and retention, raise your organisation’s profile, and contribute to evidence-based practice.

Express your interest

Please complete the relevant Expression of Interest form and return it to vcseworkforcestudy@sheffield.ac.uk The documents also have more information about the study relating to each method of participation:

• Action Group participation expression of interest form (word doc)
• Organisational participation expression of interest form (word doc)

Deadline: 28 February 2025‍

Please email your completed expression of interest form by this date.

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sophia Arthurs-Hartnett, Research Associate at vcseworkforcestudy@sheffield.ac.uk‍