University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University receive AHRC award

University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University researchers have been awarded funding from the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to explore what the future of health and social care might look like to better serve people with Energy Limiting Chronic Illness.

The project is led by Dr Bethan Evans, a senior lecturer in Human Geography with the University’s Department of Geography & Planning alongside Dr Morag Rose, also with the Department of Geography & Planning and Dr Ana Bê Pereira from Disability Studies at Liverpool Hope University.

Dr Evans said: “I am delighted that we received AHRC funding for this project. It allows us to continue our work in collaboration with Chronic Illness Inclusion, and develop a new partnership with Healing Justice London.

“The project builds on our current research which documents the problems that people with Energy Limiting Chronic Illness face trying to access supportive health and social care. In this new project, we shift the focus from past problems to imagine what better futures of care would involve.

“We have four brilliant research consultants (Dr Alison Allam, Dr Anna Ruddock, Dr Aaliyah Shaikh and Dr China Mills), three fantastic artists (Julian Gray, Mish Green and Louise Kenward), and funding to commission a fourth artist, to work with us on the project. We will be offering a range of creative workshops, including some asynchronous workshops for people who need to pace their engagement, and some ‘safe space’ workshops specifically for Muslim women and for LGBTQIA+ people.”

The project is one of ten projects supported by a £348,000 investment from UKRI AHRC to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the NHS. The projects all involve collaboration with new and diverse audiences whose voices are not often heard as part of national debates on health and social care. The aim is to help inform researchers, health practitioners, policymakers and the public about the future of care.