Keep Talking about..‪.‬ Nicola Gratton, Lead for Civic Engagement and Evaluation at Staffordshire Uni

During this episode of Keep Talking about... community researchers talk about how the Keep Talking project has been a lifeline during lockdown, "I didn't know anyone really when I first started [...] I feel like I am accepted, feel like its a family and...

In this episode of Keep Talking about.... community researchers talk about how being a community researcher can help to give something back and support others, how friendship can be a lifeline during difficult times and the power of lived experience to create change. "Your friends are the family you pick aren't they. Without them, I'd would have been hopeless really." Keep Talking is a UKRI Enhancing Place-based Partnerships for Public Engagement funded project, led by Staffordshire University in partnership with Expert Citizens CIC. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals taking part and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Staffordshire University or Expert Citizens CIC. Any content provided by those involved are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign individuals, groups or communities or cause offence. To this effect the topics discussed in this podcast may be upsetting for some listeners. Music credited to www.bensounds.com.

In this episode of Keep Talking about... community researchers talk about how creativity has helped the Keep Talking community researchers to stay connected, how sharing creative activities created a community of kindness and how creativity can help reach out and include people who are sometimes excluded from research. "It's not just about research, it's not just about set questions, it's about real life." Keep Talking is a UKRI Enhancing Place-based Partnerships for Public Engagement funded project, led by Staffordshire University in partnership with Expert Citizens CIC. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals taking part and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Staffordshire University or Expert Citizens CIC. Any content provided by those involved are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign individuals, groups or communities or cause offence. To this effect the topics discussed in this podcast may be upsetting for some listeners. Music credited to www.bensounds.com.

In this episode of Keep Talking about..., community researchers talk about their lived experiences of disability, mental health challenges and addictions during the pandemic, how everyone being forced to use virtual methods of communication has helped people with learning disabilities feel more connected than before lockdown, and how lockdown and how community research is important to raise awareness by getting people's voices heard. "If we didn't know and understand what our communities need and wanted then we wouldn't be able to provide them with right the services and things they need to live the best lives they can" Keep Talking is a UKRI Enhancing Place-based Partnerships for Public Engagement funded project, led by Staffordshire University in partnership with Expert Citizens CIC. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals taking part and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Staffordshire University or Expert Citizens CIC. Any content provided by those involved are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign individuals, groups or communities or cause offence. To this effect the topics discussed in this podcast may be upsetting for some listeners. Music credited to www.bensounds.com.

Keep Talking community researchers talk about not being defined by your past, the value of listening to lived experience and using different methods to overcome issues of isolation during and after lockdown. "If you are one of the people who think they know everything, you know nothing." Keep Talking is a UKRI Enhancing Place-based Partnerships for Public Engagement funded project, led by Staffordshire University in partnership with Expert Citizens CIC. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals taking part and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Staffordshire University or Expert Citizens CIC. Any content provided by those involved are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign individuals, groups or communities or cause offence. To this effect the topics discussed in this podcast may be upsetting for some listeners. Music credited to www.bensounds.com.