Sharing Learning

This project is centred around survivors of domestic abuse who are working with a researcher from the University of Manchester to produce a creative resource to help others going through similar experiences. By coming together and collaborating, the participants are seeing improved mental wellbeing from the building of self-esteem, reduction of blame and anxiety, and celebration of recovery.

This project is amplifying the voices of Black women in Oldham, building a relationship with a researcher from the University of Salford to help highlight their experiences, foster connections, facilitate conversations and improve mental wellbeing via two main outlets. Growing to Grow is a safe space for personal growth via growing vegetables and gardening. The second is a choir, fostering connection through music and creativity.

Situated in a diverse and multi-cultural location, Oasis Hub Hull is facilitating conversations amongst the community to help residents support each other with their mental wellbeing.
The project will use action research throughout, with their researcher partnership bringing insights and knowledge to the work. Through informal catch-ups, Oasis Hub Hull is promoting the co-creation of an environment where conversations about mental wellbeing can flourish in an area where many have felt the negative psychological effects of lockdown during the pandemic.

Situated on the Isle of North Uist, the local historical society are facilitating both the preservation of Gaelic heritage and its promotion to wider audiences.
With researcher support, they are exploring the intrinsic links between the local culture and the wellbeing of its community. The project is also bringing the community together to create long-lasting, embedded wellbeing spaces where their shared culture can be discussed and celebrated.

Based on the Great Glen Cattle Ranch, this project is providing a safe, accessible natural woodland for young people with additional support needs and their families.
The project encourages the young people to take ownership of the area, involving them in decision making, regarding the best use of the space to meet their individual needs. By providing such a space, focusing on inclusion and immersion in the outdoors, the project is aiming to target previously excluded members of the community, helping them to enhance their mental wellbeing and self-esteem through the proven benefits of this type of natural environment. Researchers from the University of Dundee are supporting the project by offering their expertise in connections with nature whilst working with the participants to determine specific factors of the environment which resonate with them and to further enhance these features.

This project supports parents to better understand how trauma and attachment affect both theirs and their children’s behaviours, emotions and mental wellbeing. They are working with a researcher to develop knowledge and understanding of participatory research, whilst also collaboratively designing and undertaking the project. By exploring therapeutic parenting techniques and developing communication skills in a safe and supportive environment, the project is helping improve the community’s mental wellbeing whilst also building foundations for longer-term approaches to share with a wider audience.

Pennine Mencap are working with the University of Manchester and people with autism and/or learning difficulties to explore how research is carried out and create a sensory art project. The project is exploring how the identity and mental wellbeing of adults with autism has been affected by the pandemic, and the resulting social isolation and transition to more online activities. The result of the project will also allow neurotypical community members to experience the world through the lens of someone with a neurological disability.

Mental wellbeing charity Ewen’s Room are facilitating this project in Lochaber to promote the benefits of being outdoors for young people and encourage engagement with green spaces. The project is recruiting and training young volunteers to conduct research amongst their peers in schools and youth groups, with the aim of discovering why young people don’t make more use of these green spaces to improve their mental fitness and wellbeing. Research programme and peer workshop design is being led by researchers from the University of the Highlands and Islands. The workshops are helping break down the barriers identified by the participants to help make better use of the natural environment around them, overcome low mood, and to improve their mental fitness, along with their physical fitness and emotional wellbeing.

A partnership between the Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Roma charity Kaskosan explored how the performing arts can positively impact the mental wellbeing of Roma communities in Oldham, supported by weekly sessions with a team at the University of Salford. A variety of creative sessions and workshops are were run, including drama workshops for children and young people, food and culture activities for women, and the co-creation of events to celebrate Roma culture.
This project is now being taken into a new phase led by Kaskosan.

Facilitated by Mahdlo, this project is creating and testing methods to engage families in learning about, and self-managing, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Researchers from the University of Manchester will support discussions with residents including through supporting data collection, focus groups, and co-designing processes to help get information out to others. By running creative workshops like painting, mindfulness classes, and cooking activities, the project is helping reduce loneliness and isolation amongst a diverse neighbourhood in Oldham.

Facilitated by Informing Choices NI (ICNI), this project is exploring how loss and bereavement is discussed and dealt with for people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and their families. A researcher from Ulster University is working alongside ICNI through a process of co-production with the community. Through meetings, workshops, focus groups and peer support groups, people with learning disabilities, autistic people, their families and support staff will be given the space to discuss and explore how loss and bereavement has impacted on their lives and what support was available, with the aim to produce tools that will help others across Northern Ireland and beyond.