Our CRF connected with local families at Morden Family Fun Day

The St George’s Clinical Research Facility team attended the Morden Family Fun Day on Sunday 5 July 2026, joining local residents for a day of family entertainment, community activities and conversations at Morden Park. Our team used the event as an opportunity to raise awareness about health and care research, clinical trials and the different ways members of the public can contribute.

We explained that taking part in research does not always mean receiving a new medicine or treatment. People can also help by reviewing study documents, sharing their lived experiences, helping researchers decide which questions should be prioritised, and advising teams on how studies can be made more accessible and inclusive.

Throughout the day, we had meaningful conversations with local residents and families. Several visitors shared heartfelt thanks for the care they or their children had received at St George’s Hospital, with some describing how hospital staff had saved their lives or the lives of their loved ones.

These personal stories were a powerful reminder of the importance of the NHS and the role research plays in improving care, developing new treatments and finding cures for future generations.

We also received valuable feedback about the need for research to better reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. Visitors highlighted the importance of involving people from different backgrounds in shaping research priorities and ensuring that opportunities to participate are accessible to everyone.

Events such as Morden Family Fun Day give our CRF an opportunity not only to share information but also to listen. The feedback we receive helps us understand community concerns, build trust and consider how research can become more representative and inclusive.

Our face-painting activity was especially popular with younger visitors and created a relaxed and welcoming space for the team to speak with parents, carers and other members of the community.

We would like to thank everyone who stopped by our stall, shared their experiences, asked questions and expressed an interest in research. These conversations will help us continue working towards research that is accessible, inclusive and shaped by the needs of our diverse communities.