Supporting Research

As a respected organisation that supports the Service disabled, Blesma is often asked to support research projects.

Every year, BSO (Prosthetics) Brian Chenier attends numerous meetings that look at future and on-going research topics. This offers an opportunity to represent Blesma and the Membership at the early or scoping phase of research projects, as well as influencing the direction of others.

When it does support projects, Blesma’s input ranges from supporting the concept of the research to identifying possible participants. Before information about a project finds its way onto the Blesma website or social media channels, the Association asks a number of questions, such as; “What is the intended outcome and how might this benefit our Members?” or “How can Blesma or its Members help and what is the impact on participants?” Blesma believes in evidence based outcomes, and as such the Association’s focus is to support projects that may make life better for Members and their families.

The project with Anglia Ruskin University Veterans and Families Institute for Military Social Research; Caring and Coping – A Family Perspective on Living with Limb Loss is a good example. The Living with Limb Loss Support Model was developed from the findings and is used as a tool in Blesma’s work. It has also been widely distributed to statutory and Third Sector organisations, including the NHS and Defence Medical Services.

Blesma takes the safeguarding of Members and their information seriously. Whenever the Association gets a request for support, it asks for proof of ethical approval. This gives an assurance that the host university or professional body has carried out due diligence on the project proposal and agreed that the method(s) of research for that study are appropriate and safe. Once this is confirmed, Blesma asks the requester to provide an outline and suitable information for use on social media and online. The Association then leaves it up to potential participants to make contact directly with the research team, and Blesma will often have no further direct input. However, the Association may, from time to time, be asked to ‘push’ a study if uptake is low, details change, or deadlines grow close.

If you are interested in taking part in a future research project, have a look at our current projects here.