Researchers from our ARC Yorkshire and Humber Early Life and Prevention theme have launched a new Family Advisory Group in Hull. The first meeting of the group on the 29th November 2023 was a great success, with 20 parents and carers of children under 3 who live in Hull , including mums, dads, partners, step-parents and one grandparent. 

The aim of the Family Advisory Group is for researchers and families to work together to shape projects to support family wellbeing from across the ARC Yorkshire & Humber Best Start topic.  

In this first meet-up, the group discussed how families in Hull feel about their health, and what makes it harder or easier for people to look after their own and/or their family’s health. The group had great conversations about 

• How easy is it to find out about support for family health issues in your area, and access it when you need to?

• How could support be better in your local area for parents with young children? What services are missing or needed?

• Are there any particular services or support groups that have helped you, or someone you know? How did you find out about those? Was it easy to get support/help?  

• Have you noticed any changes recently in the support available for families - either improvements or things being less good?

The next meet-up in January will plan some next steps from the discussion, as well as focus in on a particular research project. 

Kate Morton worked with two fantastic co-chairs of the group, Charlotte Tattersall and Katy Baynes to setup and organise the event. We are very grateful for the amazing support of Aimee Cooper and Calvin Boyd, Early Help Family Support Workers, who helped recruit and run the event, and Sarah Compton and Kate Mooney, researchers from the University of York team, who helped facilitate on the day.

Researchers in Yorkshire are invited to contact the team if they would like to work with the group on local projects. 

For more information please contact kate.morton@york.ac.uk or visit the Best Start website. 

Recruitment to the Family Advisory Group was supported by 

• Family hubs and the Start for Life Team

• Hull & East Riding LGBTQI+ Forum

• Phoenix Wellbeing CIC

• PMH support groups 

• House of Light

• Healthy lifestyles team

• Home Start