South West England

Hello and welcome to the South West consortium of CAHPR.

Keep scrolling down this page to find more information about how you can access a range of networks, contacts, links, and signposts to support you.

• If you are an allied health professional interested or curious about research-related activities. This includes AHP support workers.
• If you are a member of the public, you can access information about how allied health professionals engage in, and undertake research

By browsing this page, you can begin to see how to become a more confident AHP research user, or get involved in research delivery, perhaps developing into clinical academics, or becoming researchers.

• We want to support the strengthening of evidence of the professions’ value and impact for enhancing service user and community care.
• Our vision is for strong AHP research activities and outputs facilitating the translation of research findings into practice and education across the South West.

CAHPR South West is run through a network of Co-Leaders, Research Champions, and our marvellous administrator, Jessica Coggins – currently on maternity leave.

[This image shows Ralph, Leanne, and Becky at the CAHPR SW stall during the Developing a Research Skilled Workforce conference, February, 2026]

We are a group of AHPs working in Cornwall within CAHPR South West and welcome anyone who is research curious. We aim to provide opportunities for AHPs to connect and advocate for the AHP research community at a local level. We can signpost to research support within our local Clinical School, research units and university links. We also signpost and promote opportunities and events.

We meet quarterly and have a fantastic range of speakers. Our quarterly meetings are also a good opportunity to meet with other AHPs that are interested in research. We also regularly email with updates on opportunities and events available to AHPs.

If you would like to join us or hear about research opportunities please request to join our mailing list by contacting us; cft.kernowcahpr@nhs.net

Funded by NHS England SW, CAHPR South West completed a project exploring AHP research career progression for under-recognised groups across the South West. Katie Williams (pictured right) led the project, which aimed to support the implementation of strategic aim 2 of the  Developing a Research Skilled Workforce strategy 2023 – 2026: to improve access and equity,

In May 2024, Katie hosted a thank you and feedback session. This event shared the findings of phase one, plans for phase two and a series of of five-minute lightening talks to raise awareness of research career building opportunities and resources available to South West AHPs and AHP support workers. Please find the slides below.

The final report which includes findings and recommendations from phase one and two can be found below.

NHS England SW has commissioned the University of Plymouth to lead the promotion and engagement of the SW workforce in implementing its regional strategy. The regional research strategy: DRSW

CAHPR SW consortium is working to align our activities with this regional plan on a page.

• Engaging with the regional research strategy (DRSW)
• Attending the DRSW conferences in 2023, 2025, and 2026 with a stand, flyers, and giveaways.
• Running our monthly Research Curious drop in Café.
• Running twice a month Writing Sessions.
• Our CAHPR Research Champions are a point of contact for AHPs with research questions:

1. Angie Logan
2. Elaine Willmore

People and Community Involvement and Engagement

During 2026, we will be working to improve our way of promoting AHP research to people and communities across the South West. One activity will be to make AHP Day a celebration event – more news on this to come.

Links to useful information

1. NHS Health Research Authority here
2. NIHR Patient and Public Involvement resources for applicants to NIHR research programmes here 

 

NEWS

• NIHR announces £30 million of funding to support AHPs, midwives, and nurses develop clinical academic careers. £30million funding for clinical academic career development
• NIHR expands its clinical academic funding awards Opportunities for AHP research development funding
• NHSE South West and the University of Plymouth hosted a region wide conference Developing and Celebrating a Research Skilled Workforce conference February 2026
• Developing a Research Skilled Workforce in the South West strategy DRSW strategy