Our CRF at the Ramadhan London Fair: talking inclusion, trust, and why research needs everyone
- patientsinresearch
- Feb 8
- 2 min read
Our CRF team spent Sunday, 8 February, at the Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Ramadhan London Fair, an event organised by Inspiring Community Events. The fair drew families from across the community, with food, shopping and children’s activities creating a lively atmosphere throughout the day and giving people the chance to meet, browse and spend time together ahead of Ramadhan.
The team attended, taking the opportunity to speak with attendees in a more relaxed, informal setting. Those conversations proved to be the highlight of the day, with many people showing genuine interest in what research is, how it works, and why it matters. Rather than a formal presentation, discussions happened naturally: questions were raised, experiences were shared, and misunderstandings were gently unpicked.
A recurring theme was curiosity about what “taking part in research” actually involves. Some people associated research solely with clinical trials, while others were surprised to learn that participation can sometimes be as straightforward as completing a questionnaire, reviewing documents, sharing views as a patient public involvement steering group member, or allowing data to be used in a secure and ethical way. The team spoke about the safeguards that protect participants, including informed consent, confidentiality and the right to withdraw, and emphasised that joining a study should never affect the standard of care someone receives.
The conversations also brought out the practical realities that influence whether people feel able to get involved. Time pressures, travel, childcare and uncertainty about eligibility were all mentioned. For others, it was about trust: wanting clarity on who is running the research, how information is used, and whether studies reflect the needs of the communities they are meant to serve.
By the end of the day, what stood out was the level of engagement. People were not only asking questions; they were weighing up the purpose, the impact and the fairness of research, and many welcomed the chance to talk about inclusion. For the CRF team, the event offered a reminder that research becomes stronger when more voices are heard and that building participation starts with being present, listening carefully and keeping the conversation open.
