We know that health disparities vary by geography, that community assets have been proposed as one way to approach health inequalities, and distribution of these assets varies by place. It is also not well understood how formal public organisations can best link with community assets for health, which is particularly important as new organisations form in England. Our proposal brings together academics, three public health teams, primary care networks, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE), residents and other stakeholders to better understand how we identify, value and support community assets in delivering health and social care in Devon Integrated Care System (ICS), we propose an integrated model of developing community-based approaches to mapping/data linkage and understanding the needs of that locality. We aim to build a research-in-practice consortium with the capability to carry out research to identify and map diverse community assets, understand the conditions which created these assets and develop approaches to more fully integrate such groups and activities into Devon ICS to address health disparities. We will work with three distinct localities, each made of a cluster of Primary Care Networks within Devon ICS. These areas have significant deprivation and represent distinct coastal typologies: Central Plymouth; Paignton; and South Brent. Whilst diverse and multi-method approaches will be employed, our proposal adopts a realist informed approach and we will develop an overarching programme theory for how community assets can contribute to addressing health disparities. We propose three workstreams (WSs). WS1 will build the collaboration, and undertake activities to build trusting relationships, embed researchers within localities and organisations and prepare the ground for work to be undertaken in later stages. Work in WS2 will explore novel ways of mapping groups, people and places where community assets are developed and sustained. We will test methodologies for the identification of population subgroups who would benefit from preventive interventions. WS3 will bring together the insights and intelligence gathered in WS1 and WS2, as well as the literature, and seek to develop theoretical models of both 'currently feasible' (based on current technology and modest investment) as well as 'future oriented' (10 years on) asset hubs. We will examine innovative ways of assessing the value of such assets, their support and mechanisms of linkage. Overall, these activities will create a learning partnership (consortium) between residents, community partners, VCSE, ICS practitioners and researchers, in three localities, which can identify local community assets; develop and evaluate innovative ways of bringing together community health and social care in each locality; and contribute to the evidence base as to how inequalities can be mitigated or addressed. We will work closely with a steering group of local VCSE and ICS leaders and agree how the consortium will both be part of local asset hubs and link to ICS wide commissioning, public health and intelligence functions.

The 'MARCH' Network proposes that Assets for Resilient Communities lie at the heart of Mental Health (M-ARC-H) and is dedicated to advancing research into the impact of these assets in enhancing public mental health and wellbeing, preventing mental illness and supporting those living with mental health conditions. Specifically, it will advance our understanding of the impact of social, cultural and community assets including the arts, culture, heritage, libraries, parks, community gardens, allotments, leisure centres, volunteer associations, social clubs and community groups, of which there are an anticipated 1 million in the UK. The network will bring together a Disciplinary Expert Group of researchers with a Policy Group of major national policy bodies, a Patient Public Involvement Group of national mental health charities, and a Community Engagement Group of national organisations. Across three years, our network will unite research with policy and practice to tackle critical questions of research priorities, methods, and implementation in this field; understand and resolve barriers to mobilising community assets; and provide training and support to the next generation of researchers. Specifically, our network will address questions organised in two core work streams (WS): WS1. Cross-disciplinary research and challenges: (a) What evidence is there, from a cross-disciplinary perspective, for how and why community assets impact on public health and wellbeing and the lives of those living with mental health problems, and where are the gaps for future research? (b) How can we use a cross-disciplinary approach to provide meaningful data to different stakeholders and users? WS2. Equity of engagement and access innovation: (a) Who amongst the UK population, demographically and geographically, currently engages with these programmes and how does participation vary dependent on mental health? (b) What are the current barriers and enablers to engagement at an individual, organisational and policy level and how can we develop innovative approaches to enhance engagement, especially amongst the vulnerable? This research work will be complemented by a rich portfolio of impact, engagement and training activities (see 'Impact Summary'). This network aligns with strategic priorities of the AHRC and ESRC as well as having a secondary relevance to the priorities of the MRC (through its consideration of the role of community assets and social prescribing to support medical approaches to mental health), NERC (through its exploration of the impact of green spaces) and EPSRC (through its focus on the opportunities provided by technology for driving research forwards). It has also been designed in response to the Network Plus Research Agenda. In addition to the objectives already discussed in the prior Je-S section, it is responsive to many of the mental health challenges cited in the agenda. For example, the call specification noted that only 25% of people with mental health problems receive ongoing treatment. Whilst there are recognised economic and resource constraints with delivering sufficient mental health services, this Network proposes to focus on the role that existing community assets could play in providing support to a much wider range of people in the UK including those on waiting lists. As another example, the call specification raised that 70% of children and adolescents with mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at an earlier age. This Network will involve working with policy makers and community organisations to see how research could help overcome barriers to access with the aim of engaging more young people and those who are hard to reach. Overall, the network will seek to understand and support future research into how community assets could be mobilised to encourage more resilient individuals and communities with a greater understanding of and capacity for self-management of mental health.