Collaboratory Researcher Profiles
Project Title: (Re)instilling civic belonging: The role of cultural infrastructure in everyday participation
What is your connection to Leicester, and what were you doing before starting this research placement?
I live in Loughborough. I have worked with the voluntary and charity sector for over 25 years. I belong to the Bangladeshi community and have worked with people from those and other communities as well as service providers. I have build up trust and confidence in our service users who come to me for advice and support.
I work at Equality Action, as a Case Worker. Previously I worked with PPG and Core 20 Connectors project, where we worked with community connectors to identify barriers to accessing the health services and promoting support for these. The health conditions we focused on were – Cancer (people from Black, Asina, & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, had the highest number of deaths and diagnosis was at usually at later stages of the condition) Hypertension, Respiratory, Long Covid. The connectors used their lived experiences to inspire others in the community to make better informed choices, raise awareness of support available and helped highlight the barriers to these services for people with language and other limitations.
What motivated you to apply for this specific research placement project?
I have been at the receiving end of such research projects, such as filling in questionnaires for other research projects, being part of consultation groups, therefore I was interested in taking part in the initial research ideas. I also want to help make a difference for the people who are most underserved. I believe things can be done better and differently to ensure services, spaces etc are more inclusive and reach wider communities.
Why do you think this research is important?
- Help address the imbalances
2. Ensure service provision is inclusive for all backgrounds
3. Communities get to benefit from the spaces in their locality
4. Promote sense of belonging
5. Celebrating faiths, cultures (celebrating shared values)
6. BAME people lack socialising opportunities in wider society
7. Health, wellbeing and social inclusion among forced immigration
8. Better for mental health and wellbeing- get people out of the house
What do you hope to be doing in 5 years’ time? (personally and/or professionally)
I want to keep building my skills, knowledge and expertise in how I can help guide services to be more inclusive and accessible. I want to help make a difference for the underserved communities so they are able to access spaces, services and feel they are part of the wider society.