Turkish Community Engages with NIHR Research at New Malden Event
- patientsinresearch
- Oct 19, 2025
- 2 min read
The NIHR St George’s Clinical Research Facility attended a Turkish community charity food event in New Malden this week to speak with residents about health, early diagnosis and how to take part in NIHR research safely and confidentially. Some of the attendees said many people are living with long-term health conditions “in silence” because of stigma, cultural sensitivities or uncertainty about how to access help. “Our message is simple,” we told them. “You matter, your voice matters, and support is available early — not only when things become serious.”
We spoke with visitors about bowel cancer, diabetes and mental health, which are often under-discussed in the community and therefore diagnosed later. We also explained that participation in NIHR research can help develop more culturally appropriate treatments. “When communities like ours are under-represented in research, the results don’t always reflect our genetics, our diet or our lived experience,” we emphasised that “Taking part isn’t giving up privacy — it’s giving back.”
Questions about confidentiality were raised throughout the event, particularly from those who had never taken part in research before. One attendee asked, “Will my information be confidential?” We reassured them that it would. “Yes — absolutely,” a member of the team responded. “All NIHR research follows strict rules on confidentiality and data protection. Personal details are never shared outside the research team, and people can withdraw at any point without affecting their care.”
Mental health was also a key topic of discussion, with several attendees explaining how distress is often masked or minimised. One participant commented, “In our community, people say ‘I’m just stressed’ when they are really struggling.” We encouraged people to seek support early and explained that research is helping to develop approaches that better reflect cultural attitudes. “Mental health matters just as much as physical health,” we explained. “Speaking early can prevent a crisis — not just patch it up afterwards.”
We also shared practical ways to get involved, from signing up to hear about suitable studies through NIHR’s Be Part of Research to volunteering as a patient or healthy participant. A number of attendees scanned the QR code displayed on our event posters to register their interest. “You don’t have to join a trial straight away,” we explained. “Even staying informed, or encouraging a friend or family member to ask questions, is a meaningful contribution.”
Our CRF will continue attending community events to build trust and ensure people feel safe engaging with healthcare research and clinical trials. “The more people are heard, the more research reflects real lives,” we concluded. “Representation isn’t just about numbers — it’s about fairness, dignity and being seen.”
