The Community and Research Network (CARN) is a network of health professionals, health consumers, researchers and lived experience community members, seeking to share their expertise and experience to promote good health and wellbeing for the community of Geelong, regional and rural Victoria.

CARN is all about connection. We aim to bring together community organisations, research groups and health providers with the common goals of learning, collaboration, and sharing. This may include research, news, events and lived experience. In the past CARN and its members have;

• Delivered presentations on exciting, cutting-edge research happening in Geelong and facilitated discussions about benefits for the local community.
• Provided opportunities for community and lived experience voices to be heard in research.
• Provided a research perspective and/or evidence base to programs or policy development.
• Advise on program evaluation strategies.

Incorporating the lived experience perspective into research design can help develop a project that has direct relevance to those experiencing the condition(s) being studied. Discussions with the lived experience community can help researchers formulate research questions and identify issues in design that don’t accurately reflect experiences of a health condition.

CARN is here to help facilitate connections between the research and lived experience community. Need help? Contact us via carn@deakin.edu.au

What is ‘lived experience’?

A person with lived experience (when referring to mental and physical health) is someone with a personal experience of a health condition, or is a family member and/or carer of someone with a health condition.

ABOUT US

OUR TEAM

CARN Operational Committee

The CARN Operational Committee is comprised of predominantly volunteers, passionate about connecting the lived experience and research communities.

The CARN Operational Committee actions the strategic plan as advised by the CARN Advisory Committee

CARN Advisory Committee

The CARN Advisory Committee is comprised of predominantly lived experience members of the community and researchers who aim to provide direction and governance for CARN.

Established in Mid-2024 as part of the 2024 CARN strategic plan, the first meeting was held in October 2024.

The Advisory committee meet bi-monthly.

You don’t have to be a committee member to be a member of CARN. if you are passionate about research and lived experience consider becoming a CARN member: please contact us here

The CARN Operational Committee are currently seeking members who want to aid in the activities of CARN.

email carn@deakin.edu.au for more information!

CARN NEWS AND EVENTS

COMMUNITY NEWS

The 7th of April to the 13th of April holds several special interest days for a lot of our community. check out more information on the various health promotion activities:-

7th of April: World Health Day

Held on the anniversary of the world health organisation’s conception, world health day hopes to build awareness of a themed health concern.

“Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.”

This year's theme will kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health.

11th of April: World Parkinson’s Day

Every day 38 Australians are diagnosed with this progressive degenerative disease.

This day increases awareness of the disease and to recognise that it’s impact is not just movement and speech.

April is also World Parkinson’s awareness month

April Falls Month

April is also the awareness of Falls and it’s impact on health and ways to prevent falls as we all get older.

“The promotion of good health and wellbeing is often a community effort. CARN provides an opportunity for the community to both connect and be heard by a wide range of other community members, including researchers who are undertaking or planning cutting edge research.”

Tara Johnson

Former CARN Student Liaison

CARN MEMBERS

We'd love to add your organisation or community group to this list! contact us to find out how

Who can become a member of CARN?

Anyone! CARN is for researchers, health workers, community groups, workplaces, those with lived experience of health conditions or with an interest in research and involving the lived experience. If you are not sure if CARN is for you please feel free to contact us at carn@deakin.edu.au

CARN SUPPORTERS

McIntosh Family

The position of the McIntosh CARN Engagement Officer has been supported by philanthropic funding through the McIntosh Family in response to the loss of their son and brother Mr Mishka McIntosh in 2020. Mishka was committed to bringing together consumer priorities, clinical services, and research opportunities. He was an active member of CARN, reliably updating the Carers and Friends monthly newsletter published by his mother Pamela McIntosh from 2005-2020, in addition to numerous other activities. Mishka was always open-minded, kind-hearted, helpful, and pragmatic. The many contributions he made to the research being conducted at IMPACT was highly valued.

Pamela McIntosh continues to work towards better opportunities for carers of people with mental illness.

Western Alliance

Western Alliance is the first Australian academic health science centre to focus on regional health outcomes. Through a program of training, education, funding and advocacy, Western Alliance supports its members to improve the health of their communities through research-based and evidence-informed health care. Western Alliance have provided financial support to fund the McIntosh CARN Engagement Officer. CARN would like to acknowledge and thank the McIntosh family and Western Alliance for their contribution and support.

Get in touch!

Acknowledgement of Country

As we gather in this meeting, let us take a moment to reflect the meaning of place and in doing so recognise the traditional owners of the lands on which we do our business today. We acknowledge the Elders – past, present, and emerging of all the land we work and live on and their Ancestral Spirits with gratitude and respect. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today

Acknowledgement of Lived Experience

We also wish to acknowledge all people who have personal experience of mental or physical illness. The voice of people with lived experience is essential in the development of our network.