HEAL-D Community Roadshows – Spring 2026
In February and March, the HEAL-D research team headed out on the road to host two Community Roadshows in Manchester and London. These events were an opportunity for the HEAL-D community to come together, to celebrate with HEAL-D participants, thank them for their participation in the study, and to provide on-going connection with the community about the research. The events were the culmination of months of planning with our HEAL-D Patient Public Involvement (PPI) group, led by Dr Eleanor Hoverd (PPI lead). Shaping the events with PPI members made sure that they were culturally relevant and would provide engaging activities that the community would want to get involved with. Professor Louise Goff, Chief Investigator of the HEAL-D study said :
“We are incredibly grateful to every participant who has contributed to this research. Without their time, trust, and commitment, this work simply would not be possible. We wanted these events to be an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’ve made together. Our approach has always been to conduct research with our community, for our community – not on the community – and these gatherings reflect that shared journey.”
Held in Manchester and London, these two community events brought together not only HEAL-D research study participants, but their friends and family, and members of the HEAL-D team for days filled with conversation, activities, and fun.
Professor Louise Goff (Chief Investigator of HEAL-D) and Joan Gabay (Community Facilitator)
💛 Manchester
28 February | Windrush Millennium Centre
Our first community event of the year took place at the welcoming Windrush Millennium Centre in Manchester. The space was alive with energy as the HEAL-D community joined in with Afrikan yoga led by Naomi Cowell who worked her magic loosening limbs and bringing much laughter and fun with her invigorating, yet relaxing session. This was followed by MC Tony Kelly (HEAL-D Public Co-Investigator) facilitating a live discussion with two HEAL-D participants who offered their views about why they decided to take part in the HEAL-D study and their experience of taking part. Following the live discussion, the community had worked up an appetite and were ready for the cooking workshop by Denise Bailey (public health chef @TriniFlamingo), allowing them to savour tasty jollof rice, three-bean curry and a cooling mango lassi dessert. Denise shared tips about how to make these dishes healthier, like adding chickpeas to increase fibre. There was also the opportunity to join in with some cooking which led to a number of community members exchanging stories (and a bit of disagreement!) about different versions of the recipes shared. Sandra Tomlinson (HEAL-D Public Co-Investigator) was on hand to provide her enthusiastic support to the lively cooking demonstration which was most welcome as many wanted to be involved!
A number of stalls were also held around the room that included representation from the Caribbean African Health Network (CAHN), Good Fruit Heritage, a children’s craft table and two tables facilitated by PhD students Johanna Ebosa and Koby Acheampong that provided space for HEAL-D participants to share their experiences of taking part in the study and to note areas of future research that they felt are important. Suggestions of more research around sickle cell disease, breast cancer and mental health for Black people were mentioned.
The event concluded with time for networking amongst members of the research team, creating an opportunity for members of the HEAL-D community to connect with each other and share stories of their HEAL-D journey. Professor Louise Goff handed out a selection of HEAL-D raffle prizes to attendees, including a beautiful, hamper of fresh African and Caribbean vegetables, fruits and ingredients.
💛 London Community Event
28 March | Draper Hall, Elephant and Castle
Friends and family joined HEAL-D research participants and staff for an equally engaging and uplifting event in London that provided the same activities and stalls as in Manchester. However, this time, all HEAL-D staff joined in with the Afrikan yoga creating much laughter and joy as they attempted the various stances. Guests shared thoughtful conversations, reflections on living well with diabetes, and insights into how research can make a real difference to everyday life. It was a powerful reminder that HEAL-D is not just a research study, but a community.
🌟 What Attendees Told Us
Feedback from both events was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting just how meaningful these gatherings were:
- 100% of respondents rated the event as excellent or good
- 100% said they would be likely to attend a similar event in the future
- 96% said the event made them more likely to take part in future research
Below is a word cloud showing how participants felt when asked to describe the day in 3 words.
Feedback from the HEAL-D community told us that they felt informed, culturally valued, and encouraged. Their story is written in the smiles and conversations that filled the room as captured by the photos taken by PhD student Farid Salimi Shojaei and researcher Grainne Whelehan. We hope that through these community events HEAL-D participants, family, friends and carers felt truly heard and valued.
🤝 Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to the PPI members that helped to shape these events and to everyone who attended, shared feedback, and helped make these events a great success! Thanks must also be given to both venues and all of the event contributors: Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN), Good Fruit Heritage, The Trini Flamingo, Naomi Cowell, and Moss Side Leisure Centre. We are excited to build on this momentum and look forward to welcoming you to future HEAL-D community events.
Together, we are shaping research that reflects real lives, real voices, and real impact.
