HIVE Portsmouth & HDRC Portsmouth
What is HDRC Portsmouth?
The Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Portsmouth is a five-year partnership funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). It brings together Portsmouth City Council, the University of Portsmouth and HIVE Portsmouth to build local research capacity and work towards reducing health inequalities across our city.
At its heart, HDRC Portsmouth is about understanding what helps people in Portsmouth live well, and making sure that understanding shapes the decisions, services, and support that affect people's everyday lives.
HIVE Portsmouth's role in HDRC Portsmouth
As the community anchor in this partnership, HIVE Portsmouth is here to make sure that local people, community groups, and voluntary organisations are genuinely central to the research - not just consulted, but actively involved in shaping it.
We believe that the people who experience health inequalities first-hand have vital knowledge and insights that no academic study can replace. Our role is to bring that lived experience into the research process, connect communities with opportunities to get involved, and make sure that what gets learned actually makes its way back to the people it matters to most.
We work closely with voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Portsmouth, and with residents directly, to understand what really matters to people. We want to know what helps them feel healthy, happy and secure, and what gets in the way.
What are the wider determinants of health?
Health isn't just about whether you can see a doctor when you're unwell. It's shaped by the everyday conditions of people's lives - things like:
- Whether you have a safe, warm place to live
- Whether you're in work, and whether that work pays enough to get by
- The quality of the air in your neighbourhood
- Whether there are parks and green spaces nearby
- Whether your children have access to good education
- Whether you feel connected to your community
These are called the wider determinants of health — the building blocks that, taken together, shape how healthy people can be. In Portsmouth, as in many cities, these building blocks aren't equally available to everyone. HDRC Portsmouth exists to understand why, and to help change that.
Why it matters - the reality in Portsmouth
Portsmouth residents told us this matters to them. And the numbers back that up:
- Men in the most deprived parts of Portsmouth live 15 fewer years in good health than men in the least deprived areas. For women, that gap is 14 years.
- 76% of residents are worried about the cost of living. A quarter of low-income households and more than a third of disabled residents are skipping meals to save money.
- 2,238 people in Portsmouth are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- Portsmouth remains more deprived than neighbouring areas like Gosport and Havant.
These aren't just statistics - they're people's lives. And they reflect inequalities that have persisted for generations. Without listening to residents and acting on what we find, these issues won’t disappear.
The partnership
Portsmouth City Council leads on local policy and service delivery, embedding research into decision-making so that strategies and services are shaped by evidence and lived experience.
University of Portsmouth brings academic expertise and research capability, co-designing studies, analysing data, and sharing knowledge that supports evidence-based approaches to health inequalities.
HIVE Portsmouth connects local communities, voluntary organisations, and residents with the research process, making sure the voices that most need to be heard are at the centre of the work.
Who can do research?
Anyone.
Research isn't something that only happens in universities or council offices. If you live in Portsmouth, if you work with local communities, if you've experienced the issues we're talking about - your knowledge and insights matter. HDRC Portsmouth is built on the idea that the best research is done with communities, not just about them.
HIVE Portsmouth is actively involved in recruiting and supporting community researchers - local people who want to help shape how research is carried out, what questions get asked, and how findings are shared. You don't need a degree or a research background. You just need to care about Portsmouth and want to make a difference.
How will research be used?
Every project is different, but the aim is always the same: to turn what we learn into action that improves health and reduces inequalities in Portsmouth.
Findings are shared openly, with residents, with community organisations, and with the decision-makers who can act on them. If you get involved, you'll be able to see how your contribution feeds into real change.
Get involved
Steering Group Workshops
We host regular HDRC Portsmouth Steering Group Workshops, bringing together partners, community organisations, and residents to share updates and shape the direction of the programme. These sessions are open and welcoming - you don't need to be an expert to come.
Community listening and ongoing conversations
Beyond the formal events, we're always looking for ways to meet people where they are - through the organisations and networks HIVE already works with, and through new conversations with residents who want to share their experiences and ideas. If you'd like to get involved, get in touch.
Newsletter
After each Steering Group, we send out a newsletter to share what was discussed and how it's influencing the programme. To subscribe, email your name and preferred email address to hdrc@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Stay connected
There aren’t dedicated HDRC Portsmouth social media channels yet, but you can follow the conversation and share your thoughts using #HDRCPortsmouth on LinkedIn, where we post updates, news, and opportunities to get involved.
You can also follow HIVE Portsmouth on Facebook and LinkedIn for community updates and opportunities.
To connect with the team or explore opportunities to collaborate, please email HDRCPortsmouth@port.ac.uk
You can learn more about the programme here: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/HDRC