More than 100 local people attended CHSS’ highly successful ‘Let’s Talk’ drop-in event on 9 September 2015, at Canterbury’s Westgate Hall, funded by the University’s Public Engagement with Research Fund.
Designed to engage the public with health and social care research, the event showcased CHSS projects around dementia, weight management, long-term health conditions and health psychology.
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Exhibits and interactive activities gave the public a chance to learn about CHSS and contribute ideas, feelings and opinions about research and health.
There were plenty of volunteers for a ‘mindfulness and chocolate’ exercise. People enjoyed being creative – posting their ideas of ‘wellbeing’ on a concept wall, and drawing their personal illustrations of ‘health’ (below). Ideas were exchanged over a buffet lunch and Leverhulme Trust Artist in Residence Leah Thorn’s AHRC award-nominated film ‘watch’ was screened throughout the day.
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Talking loud and clear
There was great feedback on the day and people were keen to say why health research matters:
‘ … it helps to support best practice, makes treatment efficient and improves the patient experience.’
‘ … Care should become better through health research as evidence for assessment and treatment can be gathered and used as part of clinical reasoning.’
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The results of a ‘People’s Poll’ of preferred research priorities were:
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Details of the event were published in The Psychologist – https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-29/october-2016/engaging-public-applied-health-research
To find out more, please contact:
Amanda Bates
CHSS Public Engagement Officer
E: A.J.Bates@kent.ac.uk
T: 01227 824406