Recently researchers from across the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC), The Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF), University of Oxford, Oxford Health services (Older Adult services, Experience and Involvement Team), and local third sector services (Oxfordshire Mind, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK) hosted  an informal get together for woman and children at the Asian Cultural Centre in Cowley.

The aim of the event was to host a get-together in an informal setting to find new ways of working together to address the community’s health priorities.

During the drop in event 23 adult women, 6 adolescents and young adults and 7 children under 10 stopped by to meet the team and take part in activities including face painting, craft (decorating a fabric patch that we will sew into a wall hanging) and  games relating to research and the brain.  Information about research and local health services was available as well as the opportunity for attendees to chat informally with staff.

The event presented a great opportunity for staff to hear more about local community groups, and health priorities.

There were a number of give aways including water bottles, flower seeds in pots and more.  Food was prepared by Oxford Community Action and shared amongst everyone.  Attendees had the chance to fill out a feedback form with all respondents rating their experience as “good”.  Attendees reported enjoying meeting staff, fun activities, good food, the lovely atmosphere and the diversity of the attendees.

Attendee Shabnam Sabir said:  “The event provided a great opportunity for women in the Southeast Asian Community to connect with health support and services. There was also a nice range of activities to help engage women and children which was nice”. 

Deborah Moll

Event organiser and Patient and Public Involvement Engagement and Participation (PPIEP) Lead at OH CRF  Deborah Moll said: “It was a real privilege to be involved in this event.  The women and children who attended said that they enjoyed the activities and food.  We had some very interesting conversations – it was great to find out more about various community groups in the local area, and we were also able to share about mental health and dementia research and support services.”

Event organiser University of Oxford Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Lead in the Department of Psychiatry said: “I was struck by how relaxed and chatty people quickly became and how long they stayed.  Women said they appreciated the food, and space to chat. I also felt the appetite was there to learn more about mental health and dementia.”

Ideas for the next event were discussed and planning is now under way.