The Centre for Health and Development (CHAD) was established as an innovative partnership between Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire University. Its purpose is to undertake translational, applied research to improve the health and wellbeing of our local population and contribute to the reduction of social and health inequalities. By bringing together local government, academia and local communities, CHAD has been endorsed by Sir Michael Marmot as being ‘exactly what is needed’ to tackle heath inequalities and address the social determinants of health View here.
There are three strands of CHAD, which align with the Staffordshire University’s strategy of being a ‘connected University’. They are connecting through: research; community partnerships; and innovation and applied learning. These interrelated strands position CHAD as an inter-disciplinary, university-wide centre focused on the science and application of health and health equity research
Purpose
In a time of diminishing public sector resources and evidence of increasing health inequalities the two Local Authorities recognised the need to be able to evidence effectiveness of public health interventions locally, whilst developing the evidence base of not only what works, but how interventions work to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.
In partnership with Staffordshire University they identified 3 years of funding to establish CHAD as centre for translational research which would focus on health and social inequalities and respond to local priorities as identified by the health and wellbeing boards, JSNA and community voice. Initial funding for CHAD was made available from July 2015 to August 2018, and CHAD has been fully operational from July 2016.
From August 2018 onwards, CHAD will be adopted and supported as a mainstream Staffordshire University research centre, whilst continuing to maintain and develop links with external partners to operate as a collaborative research centre.
Collaboration is at the heart of CHAD delivery. We have a developed an infrastructure based around the three strands of CHAD which enables us to engage with a wide range of partners proactively, and to maximise the assets available to us.