The ACORN network for carers in the East of England is helping to ensure that diverse carer voices and experiences guide research projects in our region.
ARC East of England researchers Professor Kristy Sanderson, Mental Health Theme Lead and Lisa Franks, UEA Senior Research Associate share how the network was formed and what it offers in this blog.
Carers and families bring essential expertise to health and care research, but they can face significant barriers to taking part in research or shaping it meaningfully with their considerable expertise and knowledge. The ACORN Network creates a space where family and friend carers, researchers, practitioners and voluntary sector partners can come together to shape research that is more relevant, inclusive and grounded in lived experience.
"ACORN has been designed around the principle that carers should not simply be participants in research, but active contributors to how research is framed, discussed and developed."
Lisa Franks, ARC East of England researcher and UEA Senior Research Associate
ACORN originated within the ARC East of England Mental Health over the Lifecourse theme through work supporting the health and social care workforce, which includes the vital role played by family and friend (unpaid) carers.
Most themes have carer research programmes and projects, and ACORN provides a regional focus for collaboration around carer research across the whole ARC. The network has been able to bring together carers, researchers, practitioners, and partner organisations from across the East of England through showcase events and workshops.
The ACORN showcase and workshop in November 2025 brought together family carers, researchers, health and social care professionals, and voluntary sector representatives, creating a mixed space for exchange and co-production. 18 people participated and returned feedback forms, including family carers, researchers, health and social care professionals, and voluntary sector representatives (several participants reported dual roles). Feedback showed that participants particularly valued and enjoyed being together, sharing views and experiences across roles, and hearing directly from carers and researchers about barriers, benefits and practical solutions for inclusion.
“It was a very interesting programme and, I think, made us all think about supporting carers in the future… I personally thought it was a well structured day.”
Carer participant comment
13 participants reported increased confidence in including carers in research, 11 in recognising carers’ skills and expertise, and 12 in understanding barriers to carer involvement. 16 participants reported feeling their voice was heard during the workshop. Participants described it as a good learning experience and appreciated the examples of participatory methods and co-production. Participants valued the friendly atmosphere, the opportunity to network, and the sense of being included and able to contribute. This suggests the network offers a constructive and welcoming space for anyone interested in carer-centred, co-produced research.
The workshop also highlighted practical challenges for future development, including accessibility, clearer communication, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where carers’ voices are heard and acted upon. Carers need to be recognised as bringing skills, expertise, and insight to research, not just personal stories. Participants explored both barriers and practical solutions for involving carers more meaningfully.
Barriers included time poverty, accessibility, caring responsibilities, and the need for more flexible and creative ways of participating. Practical approaches discussed included facilitated small-group discussion, drawing on existing support networks, and creating ways to contribute that work on carers’ terms. Recommendations for future activity included allowing more time for discussion, improving clarity of focus and instructions, strengthening facilitation, sharing information in advance, and continuing to improve accessibility, including acoustics, lighting, and slide design.
The network has highlighted a wide range of issues affecting diverse carers and families in the East of England, including parent carers of children with medical complexities, young carers and sibling carers, carers supporting people with mental health challenges, male carers and LGBTQIA+ carers. Workshops have looked at how to improve support for carers of people with dementia, the Carer Support Nurse role, and support for family carers in end-of-life care at home.
ACORN is also supporting an ARC East of England mixed-methods exploratory study to build the regional evidence base. The Young Carers in Norfolk primary schools project aims to map how mainstream Norfolk primary schools identify and support young carers, review what factors shape current practice, explore barriers and facilitators, and identify priorities for further research and development. It reflects ACORN’s wider concern with groups whose caring roles can be overlooked and whose needs are often under-recognised in policy and practice.
ACORN has primarily operated as a regional East of England network, bringing together carers, researchers, practitioners and partner organisations across the region. The November 2025 ACORN workshop materials have also shared best practice across a wider landscape of NIHR ARC family carer research activity in several regions.
"Under the ARC’s next phase, ACORN aims to increase reach and impact, particularly for under-represented groups in carer research such as young carers and parent-carers of children with complex needs, alongside our regular meetings and showcase events, and project development."
Professor Kristy Sanderson, Mental Health and Wellbeing Theme Lead
There are plans to develop further ACORN activity to include events in Norfolk, Hertfordshire or Essex. The network has supported knowledge exchange and relationship-building across carers, researchers and practitioners in the East of England. 51 people have agreed to be on the ACORN mailing list, indicating wider ongoing interest in the network and its activities.
Anyone interested in carer-centred, co-produced research can join the ACORN mailing list to hear about future events, network activity, and opportunities to contribute to research and collaboration across the region. People joining ACORN can expect a welcoming space that brings together family and friend carers, people who support carers, and researchers working on carer-related issues, to hear about emerging carer research and opportunities for involvement.
- Find out more about the ACORN Network and opportunities.
- Join the ACORN mailing list to hear about future showcase events.
