Community Research Networks, Overlooked Voices™,
SMEs, Insights
and Innovation
Welcome
Deep Boroughs Network™ empowers communities and overlooked businesses through inclusive community research and lived experience expertise. We amplify unheard voices, support innovation, and create meaningful community impact across East London.
Inclusive Research : Overlooked Voices™ – Community-led research uncovering insight and solutions for underrepresented groups.
Amplifying Voices™ – Showcasing lived experience and community-led research stories to create growth opportunities through
Community Impact™ – Reinvesting in local communities through equitable, sustainable initiatives.
Podcast - Audio:
Listen to Our Voices
East Bank Voices is a DBN community research podcast sharing East London stories, Cockney language, heritage, culture + lived experience.
Video:
Community Art and Mural
Pushing Boundaries
Collaborating with National Institutions: DBN at UKRI & The Young Foundation
In 2025, Deep Boroughs Network (DBN) took part in the Pushing Boundaries conference at the British Library, hosted by The Young Foundation and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The event brought together cross-sector leaders advancing community-led research and innovation.
DBN was represented by Founder Alexis Charles, PGCE, MSc, and Assistant Chair and Advisory Panel Member Leanne Sullivan, contributing to national discussions on citizen science and inclusive research systems.
The conference focused on reimagining research with communities, not on them. DBN shared insights and real-world examples of how lived experience shapes policy, practice, and innovation.
This reflects DBN’s core belief: lived experience is expertise, and lasting impact happens when communities are trusted and treated as equal partners.
Women's and Girls
Community Research
Network
Empower Growth. Amplify Women & Girls.
Join our Community Research & Safety Round Tables
📩 Email: deepboroughseastbank@gmail.com
or complete our Contact Us & Connect form on our About Us page.
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Older /Ageing People
Research
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Community belonging, dog ownership, and access to safe, well-maintained green spaces are key drivers of physical activity in older adults, according to 2025 University of Bath research.
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In wealthier areas, social ties and quality environments matter more than park or amenity availability for encouraging seniors’ exercise.
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In lower-income areas ... Guess what the appeal is that significantly influences older adults, based on a review of over a hundred studies?
Email us to get more information about this research.
📩 Email: deepboroughseastbank@gmail.com
or complete our Contact Us & Connect form on our About Us page.
Neighbourhood Design & Lived Experience Research
Citizens at the heart of Co-Designing Local Change.
DBN™ supports communities to shape places through delivering creative wayfinding solutions - collaboration, bespoke research, diverse dialogue, and people-centred, inclusive insights.
Stratford E15 and Stratford E20 and East London
Creative Spaces collaborating with partner members!
Deep Boroughs Network (DBN) helps clients develop inclusive, sustainable, community-led creative spaces. We support grassroots organisations with community engagement, research, governance, co-design, and practical delivery.“LLDC partner on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park engagement”
Our expertise spans the full project lifecycle - from insight and co-design to implementation, governance support, and strategic learning- ensuring creative spaces are equitable, resilient, and adaptable. DBN in the Community Anchor Network (CAN) work collaboratively with organisations to solve problems and partnership building.
