About us

AWP provides evidence-based person-centered care by embedding research into our core practices. Here at Research and Development (R&D), we support research delivery on high quality national and international research which meets the highest ethical standards set by the Health Research Authority (HRA).  

We are a team of managerial staff, research delivery staff and administrative staff. R&D is made up of two small teams: 

1. Bristol R&D
2. Kingshill Research Centre

Our Kingshill team is an internationally renowned dementia clinical trials unit based in Swindon, supporting commercial research. Check out their page for more information.

Our team supports service users, carers and staff to access NHS research opportunities. We are funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through their clinical research network (CRN).

This means the research we support must at least one of the following standards: 

  • A benefit to healthcare 
  • A benefit to social care 
  • A benefit to the NHS

At AWP R&D our portfolio focuses on treatments, interventions and preventions of mental health problems, substance misuse, neurodivergence and dementia. Research gives evidence that treatments and interventions work and is needed for ‘evidence-based clinical practice’. 

We conduct research to help: 

  • Improve the care and treatment and interventions we provide 
  • Understand what treatments work well 
  • Find new treatments and interventions 
  • Answer important and relevant questions for patients and carers 

We do this by looking at how different therapies affect people's behaviour and feelings, how well new medications work and better understanding different diagnoses. Please see our 'Take part in research' page to see what research we are currently supporting.  

Our Strategy

Our Values

The R&D values are compassion, inclusion, learning and working together.

Our Vision

Make an impact with research, embed an inclusive research culture and make research everyone’s business through our excellent and highly skilled diverse workforce.

Our Mission

To undertake research that is inclusive, meaningful and aims to improve services and the wellbeing of service users, carers and staff.

For more information about us: