Sharing Learning

This project is engaging young LGBT+ people in Oldham to think about the impact of food choices and consumption on their mental wellbeing, with researchers from the Universities of Salford and Lancaster introducing them to relevant information and research through a series of workshops. The participants are working together to discover which recipes they like. The healthy options they create will then be shared amongst the wider Oldham community via cook-a-long events.

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.

This project is located on the Achindaul Farm, Spean Bridge, Lochaber which is part of The Great Glen Cattle Ranch. With beautiful native woodlands and a small river running through the property, the main aim of the Space to be project is to work with the young people and their families to provide an opportunity to spend time in nature. They recently shared that “since its initial launch in Autumn 21,… has had a significant positive impact on both physical and mental health of many members of the Lochaber Community.”
They currently have about 25 young people benefiting from the woodland sanctuary and are hoping to support more people from their community.

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.

Ewen’s Room’s project, ‘Building Natural Capital’, aims to change how young people’s perceptions of the outdoors affect their use of local green spaces and they do this by conveying the mental wellbeing benefits of being outdoors and encourage local young people to engage with the greenspaces and natural environment around them. Currently on their extension, their aim remains the same, to understand young people’s perceptions about the use of the outdoors and nature, the benefits of this engagement and the common barriers.
The research team supported the young people to analyze the data they collected. Their findings highlight the need for greater outdoor opportunities and organized outdoor activities within the local area.

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.