Promoting curiosity at our LARP Network winter event

Friday 5 December

On Wednesday 3 December, our Local Authority Research Practitioners (LARPs), their Line Managers, and our Public Health Engagement Leads (PHELs) met for the LARP Network winter event in London. The day focused on promoting curiosity and networking with over 90 LARPs, PHELs and LARP Line Managers in attendance. 

Delegates enjoyed a  keynote speech from Professor Adam Briggs, Director of NIHR Public Health Research who spoke about how well positioned LARPs and PHELs are in local authorities to support research. 

Before the event, our LARPs told us they want to understand more about NIHR infrastructure, how it all fits together, and what they all do. At the event, we delivered concurrent interactive workshops giving an overview of NIHR infrastructure. 

Professor Adam Briggs said: "The energy and enthusiasm was infectious! Through the Local Authority Research Practitioners and Public Health Engagement Leads, the Specialist Centre for Public Health have created something really special that can make a huge difference to research in local government over the coming months and years."

Mac Emmerson who leads the LARP Network for SCPH added: "It was another brilliant day for our LARPs. So many great questions were raised, it felt really supportive. 

"Having the organising committee directly involved in the planning process helped us deliver a successful day, and experience, for everyone who attended."

Thank you to the LARP Network organising committee; Saeed Ahmad (Nottingham City Council), Paige Hurlstone (Kent County Council), Abolanle Lawal (Hampshire County Council), Andy Malcolm (Central Bedfordshire Council), Lula Mecinska (Lancashire County Council), and Anita Sewornu (Southwark Council).

Reflections from the day: 

The networking and overview of the infrastructure sessions were fantastic. I really appreciated the smaller groups for the networking, the structure and the interactive approach to the NIHR infrastructure session! Stealing that approach for my training sessions at the council!

It’s nice as a new member of the community to meet everyone. Makes it feel more real and will help to make the emails and other ways of connecting with LARPS feel less overwhelming and less scary. Loved the colouring and card games in the first session too. Made talking with people easier with an activity to comfort

Meeting colleagues across the system and helping understand that we are all experiencing challenges but that there are good things happening across the country. I’ve taken away plenty of ideas to implement or discuss in our local authority to support our work in this area.

LARP Network winter event programme