Communications
The ARC NWC Public Adviser Communications sub-group has seven members. It was established in February 2020 and meets every 6-8 weeks to consider topics related to Communications in ARC NWC. This includes ensuring a public voice is heard and embedded in its communication activities, assisting in recruitment and retention of public advisers and generating innovative ways of communicating the work of ARC NWC.
Several members of the group have previously been involved in dissemination events promoting ARC NWC’s predecessor, CLAHRC NWC, producing new materials to educate individuals about health inequalities and helped commission/interview the website provider for ARC NWC
The group’s member profiles can be accessed below. Please send any queries for the group to arcnwc@liverpool.ac.uk
Dorcas Akeju OBE
Born in Nigeria and residing in Liverpool since 1974, I trained as a midwife at Liverpool Maternity Hospital and practiced for 35 years, focusing on maternal and infant care. I have been an active campaigner against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and established “The Link” clinic for non-English speaking mothers. Serving as Lead for Equality and Diversity at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and volunteering for over 25 years, I initiated the African Elders Association and contributed to various health and community projects. My accolades include the Liverpool Black Female Achiever of 2009 and the Order of the British Empire in 2003. I have been involved in public health advisory roles, research evaluation, and initiatives addressing health inequalities. Applying for the Co-Lead role in the Health and Care across the Life Course (HACAL) Theme, I aim to enhance Public Advisers’ partnership with researchers, leveraging my extensive experience in public involvement, healthcare, and community engagement to ensure effective co-production and communication in research projects.
I set up the Breathe Easy Foundation-a charity in memory of my daughter who died of Asthma in 2009 to support people with Asthma and allergies,
Jamie Hunter
I decided to be a member of the communication subgroup after being a public adviser part of a research project run by NIHR ARC North Thames investigating the potential benefits and drawbacks of using Artificial Intelligence as a communication tool to help better diagnose patients’ health care conditions. Since being involved in this project I have learnt to see the benefits of using Artificial Intelligence within Health and Social Care research to better provide patient care. As a public adviser that has neurodiverse health conditions like Aspergers Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, high anxiety and depression and has obtained an undergraduate Computing degree. On some occasions I feel more comfortable presenting my work within health research as an animated public adviser avatar as shown in the photo above, as it masks awkward traits that Aspergers people like me tend to have like bad eye contact, repetition of speech and awkward movements when presenting in person in front of a video recording. I see the future of me being part of this communication subgroup team, expressing myself, by typing more weblogs about how I have used Artificial Intelligence to better engage with patients and public within NIHR ARC NWC research. I am hoping in the future this tradition carries on by making Artificial Intelligence as an aid to help patients and members of the public to better converse their health care needs and intentions rather being afraid of this technology as reported often in the media.
Read a blog titled ‘Translating Artificial Intelligence into Clinical Practice a Helpful or Harmful Approach?’ from Jamie here.
Naheed Tahir
Growing up caring for my younger siblings and ailing mother, and later my daughter with special needs, instilled in me a passion for well-being and tackling health inequalities. My challenging upbringing and experiences with socioeconomic issues have shaped my logical and passionate approach to health advocacy. Enthusiastic about fitness and deeply caring about people’s health, I serve as a health ambassador in Liverpool. I co-authored a systematic review on barriers to cancer screening for South Asian women, gaining experience in research design and critical appraisal. As a Public Adviser with CLAHRC, I’ve shared my life experiences and diverse perspectives, contributing to research that addresses health disparities. This role has allowed me to voice concerns and insights that academics might overlook, providing a unique and valuable perspective. Despite the challenges and emotional toll, my involvement in research has been fulfilling, and I hope to continue supporting and improving the experience of public advisers. My journey underscores the importance of education and the power of research in driving positive change, a legacy I’m proud to be part of.
Sandra Smith
I believe my personal experience of Motor Neurone Disease, terminal diseases and end of life care within my personal and volunteering life, along with my passion and commitment enables me to identify with the strategy and ethics of being an ARC NWC Public Adviser.
As a Public Adviser, I bring a voice of the public into discussion and more importantly decisions. By representing them I can influence and contribute to a variety of health research projects.
I have not only developed and enhanced my skill base but given me the opportunity to meet like minded people including fellow public advisor to researchers and health and social care professionals. and work with them across the Network and is a great way to meet fellow health care professionals.
Video of Sandra at a CLAHRC NWC dissemination event
Hina Qureshi
I have been a public adviser since 2018 and started with CLAHRC Neighbourhood resilience programme.
I have got an MA in Psychology from University of Karachi Pakistan. I am also a children’s storyteller and an artist with a local theatre company.
I am passionate about mental health and wellbeing and have worked on various government funded, council and community driven projects combining my community engagement and creative work to promote mental health and wellbeing in the south Asian community.
I am interested in introducing cultural sensitivities in research collaboration so to inform and empower policy makers on improving the health and wellbeing of marginalised communities.
Within my role I am looking forward to achieving positive outcomes in health and wellbeing not only for present but also future generations.
I am hoping that with my experience as a creative facilitator working with Varied groups I can bring their voices forward and in turn help improve population health.
Sean Barnes
My name is Sean Barnes and I have passed a Communications course as part of my Bachelor of Science Degree. I can communicate complex information into simple layman’s terms as I did as a student Sports Physiotherapist translating medical terms. I was also a student Secondary Science Teacher and gained skills in differentiating the lessons for groups of a variety of ability including students with special needs. I have worked voluntarily in the Communications Team at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. I display good listening skills, empathy, tact and diplomacy when talking with psychiatric inpatients on Care Quality Commission hospital (NHS and Private facilities) and Community Mental Health Teams and Supported Living Care Homes as an Expert by Experience. I am an active participant on Zoom and Teams online meetings as well as face-to-face meetings. I have presented about my own lived experience at Conferences in London, Copenhagen and Strasbourg. I have also created a poster and verbal presentation of my CLAHRC research internship to academics and peers.
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