The aim of the ENRICH Network is to improve the health and well-being of care homes residents and staff by building new knowledge, bridging gaps in research, applying knowledge to practice, supporting care home staff development and sharing learning across the Network.

We aim to invite care homes to take part in high quality innovative research studies that focus on the health and well-being of older adults and their care home environment. Taking part in high quality research studies will not only help your care home to contribute to shaping the health of the nation but also will give you the chance to take advantage of new treatments or resources that are not yet available to the general population. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the important role of care homes within our society and how they are paramount in the health and wellbeing of care home residents. We hope with the implementation, exploration and support of research we can aid the health and wellbeing of care homes as whole, helping to further the advancement of the social care sector.

Benefits of research:

• Enables care home owners and managers to learn of new developments, which can contribute to delivery of improvements in the home’s business and marketing plans

• Help demonstrate to the public that the care home sector is actively focused on good care and improving delivery

• Provide an effective voice for residents, families and staff whose views may have been previously unheard

For care home staff:

• Staff can gain additional training, and support, discuss new practices, learn new skills, and network with other care homes. Care homes are busy environments and so the level of involvement needs to be managed to suit the individual circumstances of the home

• Increased job satisfaction and well-being for staff; creating an atmosphere that encourages excellence and improvement

• Provides your home with the latest information on science and technology advances

We want care home staff and residents to feel like active members who shape the Research Delivery Network.  We aim to collaborate with members across the social care setting, including care home managers, staff, residents and family members to gain a well rounded perspective of care home life. 

Older people being cared for in all settings may benefit from research findings and may also benefit from participation in research. Research helps find answers to the things that are unknown, filling gaps in knowledge and changing the ways that people work in turn bringing about improvements in treatment, care and the quality of life of care home residents. Insights gained from research could also help to allay any possible family concerns about the quality of care being offered to their loved one.