Messages from Jen

November 2025

The key themes of the November 2025 message from Jen include:

• Quarterly Communicators' webinar: The first webinar was successful; feedback is being reviewed and resources are available.

• NIHR Communications Strategy: The 3-year strategy has now been launched.

• NIHR Core messaging & resources: A new set of core messaging (narrative, key messages, proof points) and updated core slide decks are available for all staff use.

• Updated brand guidelines coming soon: An update to the visual identity is underway and will be launched soon. Staff are asked to prioritise only urgent design work in the interim.

• New partnership: NIHR has partnered with The Voice (a leading Black media outlet) for 16 months to promote 'Be Part of Research.'

• NIHR20 celebrations: Staff are encouraged to reflect on and share their personal NIHR memories; a 'NIHR20-in-a-box' with materials will be shared next month for use in local communications starting 1 January.

• Men's Health Strategy launch: NIHR was central to the launch of the Government’s Men's Health strategy, as we drive the research that underpins it. Generating media coverage, including a case study in The Independent.

• Maximising Impact and Public Partnerships (MIPP): A recording and slides from the MIPP all-staff webinar are available for those who missed it.

• Award Winners: Congratulations to Jess Reading and Kelly Lockhart for Staff Achievement Awards, and to the RDN comms team, who are shortlisted for Team of the Year at the Unawards (public voting closes November 24th).

Read Jen's full November 2025 update

September 2025

The key themes of the September 2025 message from Jen include:

• Annual Report Success: A highly successful early launch, resulting in over 10,000 online views and nearly double the reading time compared to the previous year

• Media Relations Growth: A 20% increase in media mentions (almost 5,000 from April-August) due to a new media relations plan, including a doubling of UK national media references

• Be Part of Research Campaign: Generated 15,000 new volunteer registrations and showed progress in engaging younger and diverse participants, alongside a promising new SMS pilot with GP practices.

• Upcoming Events: The first quarterly hybrid communicators' event is scheduled for Thursday 23 October. We'll share updates on the incoming NIHR Communications Strategy, NIHR20, plus much more on the day 

• Lots of love for NIHR's Instagram: Our following has grown to almost 5,000 since May. We've been collaborating with plenty of content creators through the summer, with the aim of spreading awareness of our new channel far and wide

• World Alzheimer's Month: Plans to support the month with social media content, an interactive quiz, an Instagram Q&A, and a new video focusing on people of South Asian heritage

Read Jen's full September 2025 update.

July 2025

Jen's July update covers 3 key areas:

• The NIHR's Annual Report for 2024/25 has been published, showcasing its contribution to the nation's health and wealth, aligning with the recently published 10-Year Health Plan

• The Be Part of Research (BPOR) campaign has seen significant success, with its reinstatement on the NHS app's front page leading to a surge in registrations, particularly from South Asian, Black, and younger demographics

• The 'One NIHR' Communications Strategy, which Jen is finalising, will unify the NIHR brand and drive greater engagement with research

Read Jen's full July 2025 update.

June 2025

Jen's first Communications Director Digest. Key highlights include:

• Our plans for All NIHR Communications webinars during the Autumn

• Development of a 3-year One NIHR communications strategy

• Successful Be Part of Research campaign kick-off - encouraging people to sign up for clinical trials, with significant media coverage

• Launch of the new NIHR Instagram account, focusing on people-centric content

• Emphasis on NIHR's economic impact - results from our efforts to "flood our airwaves" with economic impact content, which was particularly useful during the government's Spending Review period

• New DHSC guidance on marketing/events and updates to the Acceptable Use Policy for NIHR websites

• An update on our Annual Report, which is due to be published in July 2025

Read Jen's full June 2025 update.