ARC South West
We bring together researchers, health and care organisations and communities across the South West to make sure research addresses local needs and leads to better health and care.
Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West
Our research themes
Children and Young People’s Health
This theme focuses on improving health, wellbeing, and equity for children and young people, particularly those living with complex needs, disability, or social disadvantage.
Mental Health
This theme addresses the urgent national need for equitable, person-centred mental health care, with a particular focus on underserved rural and coastal communities.
Dementia and Neurological Conditions
This theme focuses on enhancing service provision, equity of care and quality of life from diagnosis through to end of life.
Ageing Well
This theme focuses on improving health, function, and quality of life for older people – particularly those with multiple long-term conditions or frailty, including across rural and coastal communities.
Prevention
This cross-cutting theme focuses on reducing the burden of preventable disease and tackling the structural causes of health inequalities across the South West.
Methods for Research and Implementation
This theme provides the methodological foundation for all ARC activity, ensuring our research is rigorous, inclusive, and ready for implementation.
Beyond Research: Our Broader Impact
Research Inclusion
We promote inclusive health and care research across the South West. We work with researchers, health and care organisations, and communities to reduce inequalities and ensure everyone has the opportunity to shape and benefit from research.
Patient & Public Involvement & Engagement
We are committed to involving patients, service users, carers and family members in our research. Our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Team support our researchers and students to embed meaningful involvement into everything we do.
Workforce & Researcher Development
We provide a range of developmental opportunities to help health and social care staff and researchers across the South West to understand and generate evidence, and ensure that practice is informed by evidence
