Research Fellow in Community Wellbeing

About the role

The research fellow will support the delivery of a project aiming to develop the care system to include arts-based approaches in the support of people who experience homelessness (PEH).

About the project

Homelessness, meaning people without a secure and stable place to live (including those in shelters, hostels, and temporary or unsuitable accommodation), is often the result of severe and multiple disadvantage, meaning people with experience of homelessness (PEH) have faced sustained periods of difficulty which are both a cause and a result of poverty, poor health, and inequality (NICE, 2022). To overcome homelessness, we need to make sure people have equal access to housing, healthcare, education, employment, and opportunities to grow, develop skills, and live healthy and fulfilling lives. Many health and social care providers, public services, and community-based organisations are committed to improving health and reducing health inequalities, yet despite their efforts homeless people often find themselves unable to access and engage with services that might be able to help them. Creative health approaches (art, crafting, cooking, gardening, sports, singing, reading, writing and more) recognise people as complex and multifaceted, with spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical needs. However, despite evidence showing the positive impact of creative initiatives, these assets have not typically been meaningfully included in the wider care system. 

This project aims to grow the care system, so it includes creative health approaches and learns to support people better. It will be led by people with experience of homelessness, and using participatory methods, will be organised in five work packages to: 

• Understand the impact of trauma on people’s experiences, their homelessness, and how they have been enabled to access support; 
• Understand what creative approaches work, how and for whom;  
• Develop a network of care services, to include creative health approaches, and encourage them and people who have been homeless, to learn from each other; 
• Use creative approaches to challenge stigma around homelessness; 
• Work with decision makers in the North East North Cumbria to ensure that services work together to prevent and tackle homelessness. 

This role is fixed term for 7.5 months

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore the successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

About the team

The research project will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team bringing together researchers from Northumbria University and Newcastle University, practitioners from statutory and voluntary services, decision makers, and Experts by Experience from across the North East and North Cumbria area.

About you

Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, such as Public health, Psychology, Sociology. Knowledge of the contemporary debates and challenges relating to creative health initiatives and multiple and complex needs is essential. Evidence of publication is required.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact christina.a.cooper@northumbria.ac.uk

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.

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