Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network

ICORN: Connecting Communities, Researchers and Institutions on the Isle of Wight

Building a Community-Owned Research Network

The Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network (ICORN) was established in 2025 to create stronger connections between communities, researchers, healthcare organisations, local authorities and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

Led by Community Action Isle of Wight, with support from Co-Lab and the Academy for Research & Improvement, ICORN aims to make research more accessible, inclusive and community-led. Our goal is to ensure that local people and organisations have opportunities to influence, participate in and benefit from research that affects their lives and communities.

We believe that research works best when it is informed by lived experience, shaped by local priorities and connected to the realities of life on the Isle of Wight.

What Has ICORN Achieved So Far?

Since launching in autumn 2025, ICORN has focused on building relationships, creating opportunities for engagement and raising awareness of research across the Island.

Highlights include:

• Establishing a new cross-sector research network for the Isle of Wight.
• Bringing together researchers, healthcare providers, VCSE organisations and community groups.
• Creating opportunities for local people to engage directly with research and researchers.
• Supporting conversations about community priorities and lived experience.
• Promoting inclusive approaches to research engagement.
• Developing themed events that connect communities with research around issues that matter locally.
• Supporting new community-led initiatives that encourage learning, discussion and participation.

Community Research Events

A key part of ICORN’s work has been developing themed events that bring together residents, community organisations, researchers and practitioners.

Long-Term Conditions

Exploring research, lived experience and support relating to conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and respiratory illness.

Mental Health and Resilience

A well-attended event held at the Riverside Centre in January 2026, featuring speakers from Isorropia, NHS Mental Health Services, Ryde Wellbeing Group and the NIHR South Central Regional Research Delivery Network.

The event included a practical workshop, Listening for Impact: Gathering Stories That Matter, which explored how lived experience can help shape research and service improvement.

Social Connection and Community Wellbeing

Examining loneliness, social isolation, community participation and the role of social connection in improving health and wellbeing.

Dementia 

Exploring dementia, ageing well, independent living and how communities can support people to remain active and connected.

Healthy Homes, Healthy Families

Focusing on children’s health, family wellbeing, prevention and reducing health inequalities.

Environment, Place and Community

Looking at how our environment, heritage and community spaces influence health, wellbeing and resilience.

Connecting Communities with Research

One of ICORN’s key roles is helping communities connect with researchers and research opportunities.

To date, ICORN has developed relationships with researchers and projects focusing on:

• Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Health
• Respiratory Health
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Gambling-Related Harm
• Dementia
• Public Health and Community Engagement
• Women’s Health
• Community Participation and Co-production

These connections are helping to ensure that research is informed by local knowledge, lived experience and community priorities.

Working with Community Organisations

ICORN has engaged with a diverse range of voluntary and community organisations across the Isle of Wight, including:

Health and Wellbeing

• Diabetes IW
• Breathe Easy IW
• Umbrella Cancer Peer Support Group
• Applegate Breast Cancer Support Group
• Prostate Cancer Support Group
• Alzheimer Café
• Parklands Dementia Care
• Age UK Isle of Wight

Mental Health and Wellbeing

• Isorropia
• Ryde Wellbeing Group
• Men Only IOW
• Out on an Island
• Cruse Bereavement Support

Community Support

• Carers IW
• Pan Together
• Veterans Outreach Support
• One Wight Health Social Prescribing Team

Environment, Heritage and Community Development

• The Footprint Trust
• Isle of Wight Biosphere
• Brading Roman Villa
• Independent Arts
• StoneCrabs Theatre

New Initiative: Women’s Fact Share Social

ICORN is currently supporting the development of a new monthly community gathering focused on women’s health and wellbeing.

The Women’s Fact Share Social will provide a welcoming space where women can:

• Access trusted information about health topics.
• Share experiences and learn from others.
• Connect with local services and support.
• Explore issues that matter to women on the Isle of Wight.

The initiative reflects ICORN’s commitment to creating opportunities for learning, discussion and community-led engagement.

The Difference ICORN Is Making

Although still in its early stages, ICORN is already helping to:

• Increase awareness of research across the VCSE sector.
• Create new relationships between researchers and communities.
• Improve access to research opportunities.
• Support community voices to be heard.
• Promote inclusive and community-led approaches to research.
• Build a stronger culture of curiosity, learning and evidence-informed practice on the Isle of Wight.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming year, ICORN will continue to:

• Expand its network of community and research partners.
• Increase opportunities for public involvement in research.
• Support community organisations to engage with research.
• Promote research literacy and skills development.
• Develop further themed events and community conversations.
• Strengthen links with underserved communities.
• Explore opportunities for funding and long-term sustainability.

Get Involved

Whether you are a resident, community group, researcher, healthcare professional or public sector organisation, there are many ways to get involved with ICORN.

If you would like to learn more about research, share your own research, connect with community organisations or explore opportunities for collaboration, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact:
Sandy Ciccognani
ICORN Lead
Community Action Isle of Wight

Email: sciccognani@actioniw.org.uk

ICORN

Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network

A grassroots movement connecting communities, researchers and institutions

A new chapter in local research is beginning on the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network — ICORN — is a new community-led research network, created to make research more inclusive, accessible and rooted in the lives of Island people.

Led by Community Action Isle of Wight, and supported by Co-Lab and the Academy for Research & Improvement, ICORN brings together residents, voluntary and community organisations, researchers, health partners and public sector bodies.

Our aim is simple: to make sure research is shaped by the people and communities it is intended to support.

What is ICORN?

ICORN is a growing network that connects local communities with researchers and institutions.

It creates opportunities for people on the Isle of Wight to:

• Hear about research already happening locally
• Share what matters to them
• Help shape future research ideas
• Take part in research projects
• Develop research skills
• Become community researchers
• Build partnerships between communities and institutions

ICORN acts as a bridge between the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, academic researchers, health partners and local residents.

Why ICORN matters

Research can sometimes feel distant from everyday life. ICORN aims to change that.

We believe research should reflect the priorities, experiences and voices of local people — especially those who are often less heard or less represented.

By working together, communities and researchers can develop better questions, stronger projects and more meaningful outcomes for the Isle of Wight.

Who is ICORN for?

ICORN is open to anyone with an interest in community-led research, including:

• Residents
• Community groups
• Charities and voluntary organisations
• Health and care partners
• Researchers
• Students
• Public sector organisations
• People with lived experience
• Anyone curious about research

You do not need any previous research experience to get involved.

Our growing network

ICORN is already building links with a wide range of partners, including local VCSE organisations, universities, health researchers, public health teams, town councils and community groups.

We are working with partners across areas such as mental health, diabetes, respiratory health, kidney health, dementia, arts, wellbeing, men’s health, inclusion and community development.

Get involved

There are many ways to take part in ICORN. You could:

• Come along to an informal local event
• Share your community’s priorities
• Connect your organisation with researchers
• Take part in training
• Help shape a research idea
• Support research that matters to Island residents

Whether you are completely new to research or already involved, we would love to hear from you.

Contact us

To find out more about ICORN or to get involved, please contact:

Community Action Isle of Wight
ICORN Lead: Sandy Ciccognani
Email: sciccognani@actioniw.org.uk / research@actioniw.org.uk

ICORN

Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network

A grassroots movement connecting communities, researchers and institutions

A new chapter in local research is beginning on the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network — ICORN — is a new community-led research network, created to make research more inclusive, accessible and rooted in the lives of Island people.

Led by Community Action Isle of Wight, and supported by Co-Lab and the Academy for Research & Improvement, ICORN brings together residents, voluntary and community organisations, researchers, health partners and public sector bodies.

Our aim is simple: to make sure research is shaped by the people and communities it is intended to support.

What is ICORN?

ICORN is a growing network that connects local communities with researchers and institutions.

It creates opportunities for people on the Isle of Wight to:

• Hear about research already happening locally
• Share what matters to them
• Help shape future research ideas
• Take part in research projects
• Develop research skills
• Become community researchers
• Build partnerships between communities and institutions

ICORN acts as a bridge between the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, academic researchers, health partners and local residents.

Why ICORN matters

Research can sometimes feel distant from everyday life. ICORN aims to change that.

We believe research should reflect the priorities, experiences and voices of local people — especially those who are often less heard or less represented.

By working together, communities and researchers can develop better questions, stronger projects and more meaningful outcomes for the Isle of Wight.

Who is ICORN for?

ICORN is open to anyone with an interest in community-led research, including:

• Residents
• Community groups
• Charities and voluntary organisations
• Health and care partners
• Researchers
• Students
• Public sector organisations
• People with lived experience
• Anyone curious about research

You do not need any previous research experience to get involved.

Our growing network

ICORN is already building links with a wide range of partners, including local VCSE organisations, universities, health researchers, public health teams, town councils and community groups.

We are working with partners across areas such as mental health, diabetes, respiratory health, kidney health, dementia, arts, wellbeing, men’s health, inclusion and community development.

Get involved

There are many ways to take part in ICORN. You could:

• Come along to an informal local event
• Share your community’s priorities
• Connect your organisation with researchers
• Take part in training
• Help shape a research idea
• Support research that matters to Island residents

Whether you are completely new to research or already involved, we would love to hear from you.

Contact us

To find out more about ICORN or to get involved, please contact:

Community Action Isle of Wight
ICORN Lead: Sandy Ciccognani
Email: sciccognani@actioniw.org.uk / research@actioniw.org.uk

ICORN held a series of Community events in 2025/26 

We are now completing an evaluation of what we have done so far and will create a new plan soon.

If you have any feedback or suggestions, please email research@actioniw.org.uk

Find out more about ICORN above.

See the latest updates newsletter here 

Past Events

10th December 2025 Launch Event – Long Term Health Conditions – Ryde – COMPLETED

21st January 2026 Mental Health & Resilience – Riverside Centre  – COMPLETED

11th February 2026 Wellbeing & Connectedness – Brading Roman Villa  – COMPLETED

18th March 2026 Ageing & Dementia – Community Hall Of Yarmouth District – COMPLETED

30th April 2026 Healthy Homes, Health Families – Pan Together, Newport – COMPLETED

For more information or to be on the agenda, contact research@actioniw.org.uk

Launch of ICORN: The Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network

A Grassroots Movement Connecting Communities, Researchers, and Institutions
Isle of Wight, Autumn 2025

A new chapter in local research is about to begin. The Isle of Wight Community-Owned Research Network (ICORN) officially launches this autumn, marking an exciting step forward for community-led research on the Isle of Wight.

Led by Community Action Isle of Wight, and supported by Co-Lab and the Academy for Research & Improvement, ICORN aims to empower local voices and bring together residents, community groups, researchers, and institutions to make research more inclusive, accessible, and community-driven. The network will serve as a bridge between the voluntary and community sector (VCSE), academic researchers, and health partners, ensuring that research reflects the priorities and lived experiences of Island people.

Firmly rooted in the Island’s communities and with strong links to academic and healthcare institutions, ICORN will kick off its launch with a series of informal local events across the Isle of Wight. These gatherings will give residents and VCSEs a chance to:

• Hear about exciting research projects currently taking place on the Island
• Discover ways to get involved in research – as participants, collaborators, or even as community researchers
• Learn research skills through accessible training sessions
• Network and co-create new research ideas with others

More to follow