NIHR ARC-GM partnered with Awakening Minds, a specialist Punjabi mental health service, and Made by Mortals, who bring lived experience to life through immersive audio, film and theatre. Together they explored the barriers to taking part in mental health research.

Awakening Minds (Nasrine Akhtar and Fehmina Parveen) were instrumental in reaching out to members of their community in Rochdale through their trusted relationships and creating a safe space within a community environment. They hosted a workshop in their community and using creative approaches facilitated by Made by Mortals held a discussion about reducing the barriers to participation.

“We worked with REN team and Made by Mortals, and it was one the nicest experiences I have ever had. We were given the go ahead to prepare an Iftar and it was food the community enjoyed eating from our community, for our community. There were lots of allowances made for our culture and our religion and fasting at the same time. I think the best thing that they did was they came back and they gave us feedback. They made it such a positive experience for us because they respected our community, our time and our people were re-imbursed which is a big thing. To know that you are heard, to know that someone is listening to you and acknowledging you.”

Fehmina Parveen, Awakening Minds