News How Count Me In helps accelerate action for inclusive research
M-RIC Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead, Jahanara Miah, recently attended Savera UK’s International Women’s Day celebration. In her blog she recounts the day and describes how the Count Me In initiative will widen participation in research.
On 25 April 2025, I had the privilege of joining an inspiring International Women’s Day celebration hosted by Savera UK alongside passionate advocates, service providers and community members from across the Liverpool City Region.
The evening was a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience and leadership women bring to their communities, especially when we come together to drive lasting change.
Accelerating Action 
This year’s theme was ‘Accelerating action’ and this built on vital conversations from last year’s International Women’s Day Event.
At the 2024 event, I spoke about the need to increase recruitment to research, particularly among minoritised communities. We explored the systemic barriers to meaningful participation in research and the urgent need to make research more inclusive, accessible and reflective of the people it serves.
Count Me In progress
This year, I returned to share progress from the Count Me In initiative, our ongoing commitment at M-RIC to widen participation in research. Our aim is to break down barriers and increase visibility and access for communities who are often excluded, particularly underserved and minoritised groups who may never have had the chance or awareness to take part in research.
At its core, Count Me In is a system designed to make it easier for patients and service users at Mersey Care to be invited to participate in research that matters to them. By expanding involvement, the program aims to improve future care and treatments. Participation is voluntary, and anyone can opt out if they prefer not to be contacted.
Making connections
Reaching over 200 minoritised women at this event was a fantastic opportunity to share the message about Count Me In and invite them into a space they’ve historically been excluded from. These conversations are key to real change.
We were also privileged to engage with a wide range of incredible organisations including: Citizen’s Advice, Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside, The Women’s Health Information and Support Centre (WHISC), BHA for equality Liverpool, Liverpool Womens NHS Foundation Trust, the Anti-Racism Hub, Irish Community Care, South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services (SLDAS), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Mersey-Cheshire, Merseyside Police, Marie Fogg Family Law, MSB Solicitors, Brownlow Health Central Women’s Health Hub and several Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and academic partners.
Their support and collaboration are essential to building inclusive research that is rooted in partnership, trust and shared purpose.
