5 steps to ... using community researchers

Nicola Carroll, Regeneration & Renewal, 9 May 2008

"It works best when embedded in a wider community development programme," says Dr Sarah Solway, a principal research fellow at Sheffield Hallam University.

2. Recruit from existing organisations. Atiha Chaudri, director of Equal Access Consultancy, suggests approaching established organisations when recruiting: "Community groups will already have volunteers who may wish to learn new skills."

3. Make it worth their while. "Make sure volunteers get something out of it, such as learning a skill and gaining experience that can help them get a job," advises Zoe Gray, business development director at Learning Links, which trains community researchers. As well as providing training and covering expenses such as childcare, she recommends offering vouchers as informal payment so that volunteers' benefits are not affected.

4. Keep them supported and motivated. The volunteers need ongoing support from a lead researcher, who should also conduct risk assessments to ensure volunteers are safe while out interviewing people. Tansy Dyer, lead researcher on a drug awareness study for regeneration partnership Bradford Trident, says: "You need to be flexible so they can fit the research in with other commitments. Providing feedback will help to keep them motivated."

5. Maintain contact. Chaudri says: "Feeding back research results demonstrates to residents that their views are being heard." Share the outcomes with the researchers and try to connect them with employment or further training opportunities at the end of the project, he adds.

- More information Contact Atiha Chaudri on (tel) 07780 514143 and Sarah Salway on (tel) 0114 225 5555. Learning Links is at www.learninglinks.co.uk.