NEW COMMUNITIES PROJECT

NEW COMMUNITIES PROJECT : NEW COMMUNITIES PROJECT Well-being & Mental Health amongst migrant/ethnic minority communities in Ireland


The New Communities Project : The New Communities Project The New Communities Project is a Science Shop Initiative Attempt to provide baseline data on the well-being and mental health of ethnic minority groups in Ireland Aims to explore the key issues and factors affecting mental health & well-being Works in partnership with migrant groups


What is a Science Shop? : What is a Science Shop? A ‘Science Shop’ is based on these principles: The great aim and end of all learning, is service to society.. (Benjamin Franklin) Participatory research is a means of putting research capabilities in the hands of the deprived and disenfranchised people so that they can transform their lives for themselves. (Park, 1993) Funded by the European Community FP6 Science Shop Programme


Science Shop Aims : Science Shop Aims To provide real service to communities by addressing the community’s self-perceived needs and priorities. To build and maintain respecting, trusting relationships within/across the community. To sustain relationships beyond the research study itself. To include communities at all stages in planning and developing the study. To acknowledge and make use of existing community structures in implementing and conducting the research


Who is involved in the New Communities Project ? : Who is involved in the New Communities Project ? Cáirde and its partner organisations Dublin City University Queen’s University Belfast You!


Your Missionshould you accept it … : Your Mission should you accept it … Research Training August 2007 Sept – Oct 2007 Field Research Focus Groups Data Analysis


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NEW COMMUNITIES PROJECT : NEW COMMUNITIES PROJECT Why should I take part? Participation for progress and change


Benefits to my community : Benefits to my community Raising awareness of mental health needs both within and outside of minority communities Mainstreaming minority issues in Irish health care Promoting open discussion of mental health issues in society Improving service delivery in the present and future Forming links with other minority communities Combating racism and discrimination in Ireland Providing resources to initiate and undertake research on your own behalf


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Benefits to you : Benefits to you Access to professional training in social research Opportunity to further develop research and knowledge base within your community Access to Science Shop Research Resources Opportunity to be of service to your community


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What will happen to the information I gather? : What will happen to the information I gather? It will contribute to a growing knowledge base on the well-being of migrant/ethnic minority groups and community health It will inform policy and practice amongst health providers It will form the basis of further community based health research


What will happen to the information I gather : What will happen to the information I gather Final report and conference Website Academic publications National & International dissemination of results


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Training Schedule 27th-30th August : Training Schedule 27th-30th August Defining well-being and mental health Defining research priorities Defining research questions Developing research skills Ethics, Access & Trust Obtaining Participation Facilitating Focus Groups


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Field Research September - October : Field Research September - October Each facilitator to recruit focus group participants (8-12 members per group) Each facilitator to conduct 1 or 2 focus groups within own community or region Support for focus group facilitation provided by DCU/Cairde


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