Community led action research — where are we now?
In December we told you about a new project led by Penumbra Mental Health and Change Mental Health and funded by the Scottish Government.
The charities co-lead one of the four strategic outcomes that shape our Suicide Prevention Scotland community’s work. Their focus is on providing compassion support for anyone affected by suicide.
This programme focuses on four pieces of community-led action research and is managed by the Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC).
SCDC is assisting four community organisations to design and carry out the research, and to make use of the results in our mission to prevent suicide. Each secured funding following a competitive recruitment process which involved our Lived & Living Experience Panel.
The groups came together at the Clarice Pears School of Health and Wellbeing and Byers Community Hub last month for a review day. It was a brilliant event, attended by our National Delivery Lead Haylis Smith.
During the session, our funded organisations undertook training in thematic analysis, a method of identifying common themes and patterns in qualitative data.
The community researchers contributed ideas and learning from their own experiences of conducting interviews and focus groups. It was great to see them so engaged in the session.
Later, they took part in a co-inquiry session where each team was able to update on the story of their research. It was brilliant to be able to bring everyone together from different parts of the country and see how committed and enthusiastic they were about their research.
Our community-led action research focuses on these objectives:
- Amplify the voice of community members by developing their confidence, knowledge and skills in relation to understanding suicide and its impacts
- Support the development of research and influencing skills within the community
- Enable a clearer understanding and deeper appreciation of where and how suicide impacts on the local community
- Enable shared learning about suicide prevention between programme participants and with relevant agency stakeholders
And so, after a lot of work in the first quarter of 2025, we wanted to bring you an update from each project which now has a clear structure and focus.
You can read about each organisation in our previous update on the project.
Shetland Link Up
Research question — What are people’s experiences of accessing the right support at the right time in a small community?
Community on which the research will focus — based in Lerwick but serve all of Shetland
Research methods — Focus-groups, individual interviews, reflective journalling, arts-based activities
More details — The researchers are exploring what helps people access services in smaller communities, where there may be increased stigma for accessing support around mental health and suicide prevention support.
They are using creative methods as a tool to enable the conversations with people with lived and living experience of mental health and suicide. This will help everyone better understand the needs of local people, and their experiences of accessing the right support at the right time.
Researchers have started their focus groups and interviews. They are also using reflective journalling practice and in-group conversations to help them develop a broader understanding of the unmet needs and gaps in services in Shetland.
Papyrus
Research question — What are the gaps in our community-based training and what do communities need after the training?
Community on which the research will focus — Maryhill area of Glasgow
Research methods — Focus-group conversations with members of a parent and carers support group and surveys at the start and end of training sessions.
More details — The researchers are exploring how the training and support services could better meet the needs of the Maryhill community, and, by extension, communities across the UK.
It is hoped that it will evidence what is being done well and what could be better. Researchers also hope to explore more broadly how people access and experience suicide prevention public health services.
An initial meeting has taken place with the first parent and carers support group.
From this, they have gained insights into the challenges facing parents and carers and the young people they support. Participants also shared what they would like to see from services like PAPYRUS to overcome some of these risk factors and challenges.
Tony’s Safe Space
Research question — What priorities should Tony’s Safe Space focus on and how can it better use its resources in order to do this?
Community on which the research will focus — Cumbernauld
Research methods — Literature review, focus group and survey
More details — Researchers are currently developing a focus group, which will most likely be held with current members of Tony’s Safe Space.
At this session, the group will discuss broad themes researchers have identified from current literature and service users. They will be looking at what may be contributing to and compounding issues around mental health and suicide in Cumbernauld.
The focus group results will also inform a survey, aimed at the wider community in Cumbernauld which will further investigate prominent themes.
Tony’s Safe Space anticipates the research will give them a better understanding of community priorities. This will enable them to tailor and expand the support they offer to meet the needs of the community it serves.
Rosemount Lifelong Learning
Research focus — How effective are the existing support systems for asylum seekers and refugees in addressing suicide prevention? What improvements can be made to better meet their needs?
Community on which the research will focus — North East of Glasgow and wider Glasgow area
Research methods — Survey, focus groups and 1–2–1 interviews
More details — A survey will gather information on people’s experiences of accessing services. It will also be used to identify focus group participants and volunteers.
The survey has gone out via networks and through Rosemount Lifelong Learning’s ESOL classes.
Researchers are also currently organising a focus group with the Mental Health Foundation. They plan to undertake one-to-one interviews with individuals who have got in touch with them via their survey and flyer.
One of the researchers has also attended SafeTalk training.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:
- Samaritans — 116 123 or use the online chat at samaritans.org
- Breathing Space — 0800 83 85 87
- NHS 24 mental health hub — 111
- PAPYRUS HOPELINE247–0800 068 4141 or text 88247
If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.
