Innovation and Research Unit

Who are we?

The Innovation & Research Unit (IRU) consists of a range of WDP staff and volunteers from across the organisation who have a passion for and experience in research and/or service delivery.

The IRU is overseen by Devon De Silva, Business Analyst, who, along with the IRU Officer, ensures the day-to-day running of the unit.

Our aims:

1. To design and contribute to research projects which will inform how services within the sector are commissioned and delivered going forward

2. To produce new and exciting innovations which enhance WDP’s existing service delivery.

How do we achieve our aims?

We achieve our two core aims by:

Developing links with local universities
Facilitating access to our staff and service users for local universities conducting research
Developing and conducting research projects in conjunction with local universities
Designing, conducting and publishing in-house research projects
Developing links with groups which have the power to influence government and inform policy
Overseeing WDP’s Bright Ideas Scheme which encourages staff and volunteers to provide innovation and research suggestions which, if implemented/published, leads to a financial reward for the individual
Establishing a feedback mechanism to ensure that all research findings and approved innovation suggestions are used to improve service delivery.

Current Research & Innovation Projects

Upcoming Research & Innovation Projects

Publications

Morton, L. (2016). A Case Report of a Concurrent Treatment of Cannabis and Tobacco Use within a Community Substance Misuse Service. Journal of Addiction, Research & Therapy, 7: 279.

Morton, L. & Nanda, M. Capital Card™ Reward Scheme. Earn, Spend, Live: The Future of Client Engagement. Poster presented at: Social Prescribing: from Rhetoric to Reality, Kings Fund Conference; 2017 May 18; London, UK.

Cardwell, V., Wainwright L. (2018). Making Better Births a reality for women with multiple disadvantages. London: Revolving Doors.

Moss, T., Cox, S., Hodgkinson, G., Tyler A. (2018 ). Street Drinking in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. London: WDP & LSBU. Link to Executive Summary.

Gleeson, H., Thom, B., Bayley, M., McQuarrie, T. (2019). Rapid evidence review: Drinking problems and interventions in black and minority ethnic communities. Middlesex University. Link to Executive Summary.