Research and Development at LSCft

07/01/2026

Have you experienced trauma? Your voice matters.

Researchers at the National Centre for Mental Health want to learn more about how trauma affects mental health – and you can help.

This survey is open to anyone who has experienced trauma. Examples might include:

- Serious accidents
- Life-threatening illness
- Sexual or physical assault
- Childhood or domestic abuse

💻 Take part today: bit.ly/LSCFT or scan the QR code in the second image.

By sharing your experience, you’ll be helping us work towards better diagnosis, treatment, and support for people affected by trauma.

11/12/2025

Well done to our Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust West Lancashire Talking Therapies Team who were the top recruiters to the StratCare 2 trial over the past 4 weeks.

Depression and anxiety affect 1 in 6 adults, but current treatments don’t always lead to full recovery. That’s why researchers are testing StratCare, a new AI tool designed to help NHS Talking Therapies match people with the treatment that’s right for them from the start.

The StratCare 2 trial will involve over 1,200 patients to see if this approach can boost recovery and quality of life compared to the usual stepped care model.

To find out more, please contact the LSCft Research Team at
📧Research.Office@lscft.nhs.uk

07/11/2025

If you’ve experienced or , you can be part of a unique opportunity to join the largest study looking at Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression. We encourage people to sign up for this exciting study! Sign up to the GLAD Study at www.gladstudy.org.uk

02/11/2025

A huge well done to our IBPI study team for hitting their recruitment target! 👏

The Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention (IBPI) aims to investigate whether providing parents with bipolar disorder (BD) with online parenting support leads to positive outcomes for both parents and children.

16/10/2025

We’re delighted to share that the CaPE project (Culturally adapted Psychoeducation for African and Caribbean persons with bipolar disorder in the UK) has been successfully funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Research for Patient Benefit Programme.

Led by Dr Dung Jidong, with Farah Lunat, Research Operations Manager at LSCft, as co-applicant, CaPE addresses a significant gap in mental health research and service provision.

Bipolar disorder remains under-researched in African and Caribbean communities in the UK. Barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and lack of culturally sensitive care contribute to low service uptake.

CaPE will deliver culturally adapted psychoeducation to reduce stigma and improve engagement with mental health services — supporting more inclusive and equitable care.

“Through education and engagement, previous research has shown that communities are not only willing, but often eager to contribute to shaping the future of care – this project will give people an opportunity to do just that.”
— Farah Lunat, LSCft

👏 Congratulations to the project team! We look forward to seeing the impact of this important work.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/25527591.lancashire-bipolar-study-receives-300-000-funding/

A Lancashire-based research study focused on reducing health inequalities in Black communities has secured over £300,000 in funding

19/09/2025

Around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. Join the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative EDGI UK today, to contribute to mental health research and help us better understand what we can do to help.

💻Sign up at edgiuk.org

05/09/2025

👁️ Do you sometimes see things that others don’t?
You’re not alone — and your experience could help shape future understanding and support.

We’re looking for people with a psychosis diagnosis (such as schizophrenia) who experience visual hallucinations to take part in an important research study.

🧠 This study aims to explore and better understand these experiences — and your insights could make a real difference.

💬 If you’re interested or want to learn more, please get in touch with our research team. All conversations are confidential and handled with care.

📩 To find out more, please contact Sarah our Clinical Studies Officer on
📲07790 387646 💻Sarah.Anderton@lscft.nhs.uk

👩‍⚕You can also ask your care provider to speak to us about the study on your behalf.

26/08/2025

Researchers from the National Centre for Mental Health are trying to understand more about trauma and its impact on mental health.

This survey is open to anyone who has experienced trauma. Examples of trauma could include (but are not limited to):

Serious accidents
Life-threatening illness
Sexual or physical assault
Childhood or domestic abuse

💻Take part now at: bit.ly/LSCFT or scan the QR code in the second image.

The long-term aim of this research is to help improve diagnosis, treatment and support for those who have experienced traumatic events.

17/08/2025

If you have experienced symptoms of any eating disorder, such as finding it difficult to stop eating, only eating certain foods, or having food rituals, you may be eligible for the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative EDGI UK.

Sign up today at edgiuk.org

10/08/2025

Around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. Join the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative study (EDGI UK) today to contribute to mental health research and help us better understand what we can do to help.

💻Sign up at edgiuk.org

When signing up, please select 'Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust' when asked where you heard about the study.

03/08/2025

Researchers are testing an online support package for friends and family members of people with dementia.

Find out more at: https://bit.ly/CareCoachstudyCarer

If you have any questions, please contact the Research & Development at LSCFT team on 01772 773 498 or at Research.Office@lscft.nhs.uk

31/07/2025

🎉 Recruitment target reached!

We’re celebrating a milestone in the BART II trial here at Research & Development at LSCFT - the BART II team has successfully met its recruitment target! 👏

BART II is exploring whether a new kind of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can support people who may be at risk of developing Bipolar Disorder. This research could pave the way for earlier, more effective support for individuals experiencing mood swings — helping them better understand and manage their mental health.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in reaching this milestone — your dedication is helping shape the future of mental health care.