The next event of the ISSF Skills-Sharing Programme will take place on the 17 March 2-4 pm. At this session, we’ll hear from community leaders and organisations who have been continuing their work throughout the pandemic.

For more information and to book your FREE ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/issf-pe-skill-sharing-changing-contexts-engaging-with-communities-tickets-141266508931

Do you want to find out more about you can design, deliver and evaluate digital approaches to public engagement? Are you looking for new ways to meaningfully engage people in your research or project during COVID-19?

As part of the University-wide Wellcome ISSF Public Engagement funding schemes, we’re launching a new programme of events where you’ll get to hear from researchers, community organisers and public engagement professionals on this topic.

Changing Contexts: Engaging the Community” – 17 March  2020, 2-4:30 pm
Community organisations are experts at engaging their audiences including people from seldom heard communities. In this session you’ll get the chance to hear directly from community leaders who have been continuing their work throughout the pandemic.

Case studies (2 pm – 3 pm):

  • Emily McChrystal, Comics Youth – Comics Youth is a creative community organisation led by young people, for young people. Our aim is to empower youth across to flourish from the margins of society: Harnessing their own narratives, finding confidence within an inclusive community, and developing the resilience to succeed on their own path.
  • Najma Khalid, Women’s CHAI Project – Women’s CHAI Project was founded in 2011 by Najma Khalid; all great ideas are often made over a cup of tea and Najma made this one over a cup of CHAI. CHAI stands for Care, Help And Inspire and that is what we aspire to do. The Women’s CHAI Project cares about its members and the community, helping and inspiring them to make a difference.
  • Adil Mohammed Javed, Alchemy Arts – Alchemy Arts is a Media & Arts Social Enterprise using innovation and imagination as instruments for social change. They support underrepresented people including those with special educational needs, mental health, dementia and addiction. Their social mission is to use innovative and engaging projects to empower, educate and inspire communities that have previously been identified as disadvantaged and hard to reach.

In conversation with BRAG (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm): In this part of the session we will welcome members of Vocal’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Research Advisory Group (BRAG) to have an informal discussion about community engagement with research from the perspective of local groups. You will hear a bit more about what BRAG does and how its members are collaborating with researchers and working with local communities as well as having a chance to ask any question you may have.

What are the accessibility features of this programme?
The events will be held on Zoom, will be captioned and British Sign Language interpreted. We will also record and publish the first half of this session at a later date.

If there are any other ways we can support your participation or if you have any questions about this programme please contact the ISSF Project Manager, Paolo Arru, on paolo.arru@mft.nhs.uk