London Community Research Articles

Cartographies of Emergence of Latin American Communities and British Latinx Imaginaries in London

This paper explores Latin American communities in London through the conceptual lens of cartographies of emergence in translocational perspective suggesting that it provides a less binary approach than the more commonly used perspective of ‘(in)visibility’. This is informed by the empirical analysis of Latin American community‐building through their negotiation of precarity and collective resistance. It also reflects on the contested nomenclatures used to denote the ‘community’ such as Latin American and British Latinx as well as plural interpretations of British Latinidades and British Latinx imaginaries, the latter to capture the mutable and dynamic identities and belonging.

The NHS London Legacy and Health Equity Partnership: Evaluation of an equity lens framework

Abstract Background Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake emphasised stark inequalities linked to ethnicity and deprivation, highlighting lack of trust and access barriers. London health leaders committed to create a community-centred legacy through the development of the NHS Legacy and Health Equity Partnership (LHEP); A novel 2-year programme aiming to close the equity gap in vaccinations, screening and access to health, focused on underserved communities, delivered in collaboration with London partners and communities. LHEP focused on 12 unique programmes with a key role of system leadership. Outputs included 15 reports, 6 conference presentations, 7 academic publications, 6 community workshops and 5 toolkits including development of an overarching LHEP framework aiming for long-term legacy. Methods An evaluation was designed to assess the benefits and limitations of the programme and framework through 16 semi-structured interviews and 5 focus groups delivered with key stakeholders. Ethical approval was obtained from the UKHSA Research Ethics Group. Data was coded inductively and drawn into themes. Results LHEP was said to add value through a) a dedicated team championing health equity and visible focus of leadership within the equity space b) fostering community engagement enabling dialogue between health systems and communities c) advocating co-production, building trust, focusing on communities in vulnerable circumstances d) programme innovation and agility d) drawing from COVID-19 lessons and disseminating learning. Interviewees stressed a legacy beyond vaccinations, establishing London as a blueprint for others. Conclusions Lessons were drawn into the ‘LHEP Approach for Health Equity’, a concise framework to guide partners to embed health equity, gathering 4 key tenets to ensure ‘no community is left behind’; data, evidence and learning; commitment from leaders and strong partnerships, allow for innovation and consider sustainability and communities at the centre. Key messages • Legacy and Health Equity Partnership is a 2-year multistakeholder programme aiming to tackle inequalities for the diverse communities of London that built evidence and led system change. • Evaluation stressed the impact of establishing London as a blueprint to follow and a framework to guide and support partners striving for health equity.

'You are too much in this modern world, that's why you are like this': Understanding perceptions of mental health among Somali women in London.

This is a qualitative study exploring the perceptions of mental health among Somali women living in London. Participants, over the age of 18, female and identifying as Somali, were recruited from a community centre in West London. Seven participants were recruited and semi-structured interviews were conducted to better understand perceptions of mental health, care-seeking, treatment and different understandings of these issues within the Somali community in London. Interview transcripts were imported into NVIVO version 14 to be coded, and description-focussed coding and thematic analysis were used to interpret key themes. Concerns around judgement, shame and stigma are key issues affecting attitudes towards mental health in this group. Other important issues affecting conceptualisations and attitudes towards mental health were intergenerational differences, isolation from the community, stigma and secrecy. Participants also reported the importance of protective factors, particularly faith and family in their lives. This research adds to existing literature in exploring perceptions of mental health in Somali communities in the UK and such research is helpful in identifying cultural barriers to recognition and treatment of mental health within this community.

UK Khat Prohibition and the Making of a Harmful Drug

This article delves into the complex dynamics of khat (Catha edulis) prohibition in the UK, with a particular focus on a Somali community in north-west London. Despite the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs finding no substantial evidence of khat causing societal or medical harms and recommending public health interventions instead of prohibition, the UK Home Office classified khat as a Class C drug in June 2014. This decision raises critical questions about what constitutes a harmful drug. Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted during the peak of prohibition discourse in 2013–14, the article explores how notions of harm operate across moral, political, and epistemological registers as people grapple with framing khat’s drug status and the effects of its use. It illustrates how prohibition discourse not only amplified perceptions of khat’s harmfulness but also sidelined the more nuanced concerns of Somali community members over persistent socioeconomic integration issues, mental health, and social marginalisation. Thus, the harm of khat may not lie in its potency as a psychoactive substance but as an object of prohibition that overshadows interventions to address the adverse conditions associated with its use among certain individuals.

Maternal And preGnancy hEalth duriNg elevaTed heAt – MAGENTA: Novel data linkages and methods to understand the impacts of climate change on deprived communities in Wales and London.

Background and ObjectivesThe health impacts from changing climate, including increasing frequency, severity, and duration of heat are projected to worsen. The MAGENTA study will explore the impact of heat on pregnancy-related outcomes for deprived communities in Wales and London. ApproachMAGENTA will create linked data cohorts capturing some of the most deprived and diverse communities in Europe to analyse the impact deprivation, ethnicity, heatwaves, and urban heat islands have on pregnancy-related health. A consented data-linked cohort of pregnant women will provide biological samples and undergo direct measurement of themselves and their home environments to understand the heat stress response of pregnant women not acclimatised to heat during their pregnancy. Core to the study is our public involvement strategy which includes pregnant women and women who have recently delivered a baby, co-producing the research and how results are communicated. ResultsOur electronic cohorts cover >10 years of climate and health data and capture all births in Wales >300,000 and >1.1 million in London. We will present how the novel data linkages can work in multiple trusted research environments, approaches for sharing methods in geospatial modelling and statistics across the project and preliminary findings from the study. Findings and ImplicationsThe MAGENTA study will help inform expectant parents, families and policy makers how to prepare for climate change in temperate regions. The comparison between different populations in Wales and London will give insight on where policies and interventions can be generally applied and where they need to be contextually adapted.

Barriers to Healthcare Access for Black Communities in Kingston and London, Ontario

Healthcare access is recognized as a fundamental human right by the World Health Organization. In Canada, the Canada Health Act mandates equitable and accessible healthcare for all. However, many communities, particularly the Black community, continue to face significant barriers due to socioeconomic factors. These challenges are deeply rooted in systemic racism, socio-economic barriers, and cultural biases, which disproportionately impact the health outcomes of Black individuals. This study explores the specific barriers to healthcare access within the Black community using pre-existing qualitative data. We analyzed semi-structured interviews with 15 Black community members in Kingston and 10 in London, Ontario, using NVivo software to systematically code the data and identify key themes. Additionally, a literature review was conducted, which revealed recurring themes such as lack of culturally competent care, distrust of healthcare institutions, and economic barriers. The analysis of the interview data confirmed these themes and highlighted additional issues related to service type, time and availability, and experiences of racism and discrimination. Despite individual differences, these findings consistently emphasize the pressing need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to address these disparities. However, our study was constrained by the limited availability of race-based data in Canada, underscoring the urgent need for increased research and data collection to advocate for equitable healthcare access and monitor the effectiveness of health services for marginalized communities.

Empowering London Primary School Communities to Know and Tackle Air Pollution Exposure

This study tested the effectiveness of participatory methods to engage primary school communities in London with air pollution issues to help them identify, understand, and reduce their air pollution exposure. Three primary schools with high pollution levels participated in environmental educational activities, including air quality workshops and field campaigns involving different methods, time schedules, and project scopes. Participants completed surveys before and after these activities to measure their understanding, perceptions, and behavior. After the workshops, students admitted feeling more skillful in monitoring air quality and confident in incorporating this education into daily life and teaching others. They shared their results with peers, school leadership, and the community and led campaigns to help design experiments, choose measurement locations, and reduce air pollution exposure in schools. The results showed increased concern about air pollution, a better understanding of its causes and impacts, and more reported reduction behaviors. An Air Pollution Exposure Index (APEI) was combined with participatory monitoring data to raise awareness and understanding among students on typical school-day exposure. Feedback indicates that the tool was useful in defining air pollution exposure status and identifying exposure risks. Overall, this study contributes to the evidence of the feasibility and impact of student-led environmental education interventions These interventions involve collecting personalized exposure data, co-planning mitigations with school community groups, and employing methods to raise awareness of air pollution and empower pupils to identify potential solutions and change behaviors.

How Turkish supplementary schools in the UK boost vocabulary in bilingual children (ages 4–8)

ABSTRACT This study investigates the heritage language development of Turkish-English bilingual children in the UK, focusing on the effects of Turkish supplementary schools and home language environments. A mixed-methods approach was used to compare 4–8-year-old children attending Turkish supplementary schools with those who do not, using vocabulary and narrative tasks and questionnaires. Participants included children from Turkish supplementary schools (attendees, n = 19) and Turkish communities (non-attendees, n = 22) in Doncaster, London, Manchester, Nottingham and York, along with their parents (n = 39). Data were collected in two phases. Initial results indicated that attendees underperformed in Turkish vocabulary production and comprehension, as well as narrative skills, compared to non-attendees, although their English proficiency was comparable. Cross-sectional analysis showed significant lexical growth for both groups from time 1 (t1) to time 2 (t2). Despite these gains, attendees continued to lag in Turkish language knowledge. Attendance at supplementary schools did not significantly affect English vocabulary knowledge. The underperformance of attendees in Turkish language tasks is attributed to greater Turkish exposure and use at home among non-attendees. These findings highlight the critical role of home language practice in bilingual development, suggesting that future studies should consider home language use in their assessments.

WellHome: A Community-Based Study for Investigating Indoor Air Pollution in an Urban Community in London, England.

WellHome: A Community-Based Study for Investigating Indoor Air Pollution in an Urban Community in London, England.

Exclusion-politicization: Salafism, democracy, and counterpublic politics in the UK

ABSTRACT This article examines the politicization of Salafism in the UK over the past two decades – shedding light on why and how some Salafi actors, particularly those belonging to Haitham al-Haddad’s network, are increasingly engaging in formal and informal political activities rather than da’wa (missionary work). It is based on more than 70 interviews with British Salafis and 20 months of participant observation within Salafi communities in London between 2017 and 2020, as well as content analysis of Salafi websites and social media. It argues that owing to increased exclusion and marginalization of British Muslims within the British public sphere, some Salafis have begun to organize protests, vote in UK elections, campaign, wage legal battles, and contest the marginalization of British Muslims through the production of counterhegemonic discourses. It draws on counterpublic theory to explain how exclusion from the public sphere can lead to greater political activity by highlighting how counterpublics enable marginalized communities to regroup and train for agitational activities. This article contributes to our understanding of the causes and consequences of the politicization of Salafi actors in European Muslim-minority contexts, as well as to our understanding of the politicization of religious actors more generally.

Learning and performing Sanskrit as a sacred language: Children’s religious repertoires and syncretic practice in London

Aim: We investigate how children in the Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu/Saiva faith community in London learn and use Sanskrit alongside Tamil and/or English and other multimodal and embodied resources to communicate with the Divine. Methodology: The data were collected as part of a 3-year multi-sited collaborative team ethnography documenting how migrant children become literate in faith settings. Data and analysis: The data consist of participant observations across religious education classes, the Temple, and the home, and interviews with the key participant child, Chantia, her brother and the Chief priest at the Temple. The analysis focuses on instances in the data where sacred language learning and performance are thematised. In addition, we analyse a digital video recording of Chantia’s daily morning prayers using transvisuals. Findings: Learning Sanskrit consists of integrating a limited set of Sanskrit religious texts and practices, such as key religious concepts, mantras, and poetic verses in children’s evolving religious repertoire and is embedded in children’s everyday religious socialisation across contexts. Chantia unites and syncretises a range of conventionalised semiotic resources, including religious texts in Sanskrit to communicate with the Divine and personalise her act of worship. Conclusions: Children’s religious repertoires are learned, deployed, adapted, and expanded differently depending on the affordances of the socio-cultural context. Chantia’s meaning-making process is much more complex than the rigid categorisation of the different modal resources she deploys, forming an integrated system of communication. Originality: Our conceptualisation of Sanskrit sacred language learning is anchored on a multilingual and multimodal perspective that does not privilege Sanskrit over other (sacred) languages nor linguistic over non-linguistic resources. Significance: Our paper extends current critique of logocentric perspectives in applied and sociolinguistics to the examination of religious repertoires that are often driven by a communication hierarchy positioning sacred languages at the top and other aspects of communication as secondary.

Research with Black Communities to Inform Co-Development of a Framework for Anti-Racist Health and Community Programming.

The effects of systemic racism were exacerbated and amplified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The resurgence of the "Black Lives Matter" movement in North America brought awareness to the public, especially white people, of the impacts of systemic racism in society and the urgent need for large-scale and institutional anti-racism work. In collaboration with a local Community Health Centre, this research focused on identifying priority areas for tailored and co-developed anti-Black racism interventions in health services and community programming, as well as examining how purposeful relationships can be created with African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities in London, Ontario. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in either French or English with nine formal or informal leaders from London's ACB communities. Interpretive description methodology guided analysis and interpretation. Participants indicated that anti-Black racism is ever-present in the community and in their lives, with systemic racism causing the most harm. Racism should be addressed by creating ACB-specific services, and education for non-Black communities; increased representation, inclusion, and engagement of ACB people within organizations, especially in leadership roles, are essential. A framework based on study findings to guide how organizations can develop authentic and purposeful relationships with ACB communities is presented. Organizations will continue to perpetuate systemic racism unless they actively seek to be anti-racist and implement strategies and policies to this end. The proposed framework can guide partnerships between health and community organizations and ACB communities, and support co-development of strategies to address anti-Black racism.

Disrupting the craft canon: a Living Lab approach to measuring cultural value

To address structural omissions of the experiences of makers of colour from the cultural space of craft, Crafts Council initiated the project, Disrupting the craft canon: the cultural value of craft. Partnering with an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University London, the project was awarded a research grant in June 2022 as part of the first round of funding of the Centre for Cultural Value’s Collaborate programme. Collaborate supports innovative new partnerships between cultural sector practitioners and academics exploring under-explored questions around cultural value so as to deepen existing evidence or surface new evidence. Adopting a Living Lab approach, the team investigated the meanings and cultural value of craft and specifically the impacts of race, racism, immigration and migration on cultural production, making and value grounded in the reality of individuals’ and local communities’ lives. This Participatory Activist Research project helped develop and test research tools including vignettes and object-based stimuli in place-based craft making events with selected Black and Asian UK communities in London and Birmingham. Sinclair highlights the need for ‘research that identifies and recognises the value of the knowledge, experience and cultural heritage of makers of colour in professional, community or other crafts spaces’. This article reflects on the collaborative process, sharing the findings of our community-based research and thereby adding to our understanding of craft’s potential cultural value and the contributions craft can make to sustainable development.

Virtual Reality Relaxation for Mental Health Service Users with Complex Care Needs: a Pilot Study in Residential Care Homes and Supported Accommodation

AbstractVirtual reality (VR) relaxation is a promising, novel intervention for service users with a range of mental health conditions and has potential wellbeing benefits such as promoting relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety. Less is known about the implementation of VR relaxation for service users in complex care mental health services. This study aimed to investigate implementation of a single session of VR relaxation for service users in residential care homes and supported accommodation, who were supported by a South London community team. Participants could explore relaxing, natural environments in VR. Pre- and post-VR visual analogue scales of mood, immersiveness, helpfulness, narrative feedback and clinician reflections were recorded. Participants (N = 20) had psychotic disorders and other serious mental health conditions. Post-VR, there were significant increases in relaxation (large effect), happiness and connectedness to nature (both medium effects), and decreases in anxiety and sadness (both medium effects). Stress was low at baseline and there was no significant effect post-VR. Helpfulness and immersion scores were high (both > 8). Participants reported the intervention was very relaxing, exciting, uplifting and were enthusiastic about engaging in more VR relaxation and further psychological interventions, including therapy and other digital interventions. Participants reported finding a session facilitator helpful. Technical issues were minor and resolved by the facilitator. Findings indicate scope to widen access to VR relaxation within complex care services. More facilitators could offer multiple sessions to larger, more diverse groups of service users. Future research with more robust methodologies is needed to test effectiveness and longer-term impact.

Migrant women becoming ‘stronger together’ through the arts: Creating Ground

In this article we introduce Creating Ground, a not-for-profit organisation that works with women from migrant backgrounds to promote intersectional anti-racist cross-cultural awareness, learning and sharing across different communities in South East London through collaborative arts and educational projects. We reflect on our use of participatory arts, social action and training to bring migrant women together, improve wellbeing and create change for these women at a personal and a community level. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown periods we were forced to move much of our activities and support online. We share how being together in such a difficult time helped us to become stronger together and decide to take action to change intersecting unjust situations that the women encountered in their everyday lives. The women shared common experiences around the negative impact of the hostile environment, and we used this policy as a starting point to decide to tell our stories through the arts (specifically using metaphors in film-making and participatory theatre), and to campaign. We present the campaigns we are working on: poor condition of temporary accommodation for families, and we discuss how our use of creative arts and participatory methods allow us to have agency and power to become leaders, create change and tell our stories from our perspectives. Being a migrant is only a small part of our intersectional identities. We are much more. We are so many things and among everything we are leaders, change makers and stronger together.

The role of lived experience eye care champions in improving awareness and access to eye care services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism

AbstractBackgroundDocumented inequalities in access to eye care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism are caused by poor uptake of primary eye care services, poor identification of eye problems, lack of signposting and reasonable adjustments of existing services, concerns about costs of care and the low priority historically given to these issues in eye care policy at a regional and national level. In 2019, the charity SeeAbility employed four eye care champions (ECCs) with lived experience of learning disability and/or autism to work in local communities in London and the Northwest of England. They provided peer‐to‐peer support on understanding the need for good eye health and engaged with policy makers, and learning disability, autism and eye care professionals at the local, regional and national levels to influence both the clinical practice of individual practitioners (within existing service/pathway models) and more widely to influence the commissioning of the Easy Eye Care pathway. This study explores the experiences of these ECCs.MethodsThe study was conducted in April and May 2023. A case study approach was used to describe the experiences of the ECCs from March 2019 to March 2023. Data from structured interviews with the four ECCs and workload analysis were triangulated to provide a multifaceted understanding of this novel health promotion project.FindingsThe ECCs found the role useful and reported that confidence in their practice and impact grew with time but they required ongoing support in the role. A good understanding of the promotional messages was reported. Developing a good network of contacts at an early stage, both people with learning disabilities and healthcare professionals, was key. Relationships with professionals were supportive and positive and a positive emotive response to their lived experience was reported in these interactions.ConclusionsFrom the perspective of the ECCs, the role is useful and beneficial. The work suggests some key recommendations for future development which include planning to build networks, support in presentation and communications skills and defining key messages and knowledge. Confidence of the ECCs builds with time in the role but also needs support the emotive impact of their lived experiences on audiences is highlighted. There is a need to evaluate how the programme is perceived by those who interact with it and how it changes behaviours which leads to better health outcomes.

An evaluation of a service expansion to include patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Background/Aims The Central London Community Healthcare Trust West Hertfordshire heart failure service expanded in 2020 to include patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, in addition to the patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The patient population was predicted to double, requiring staff and service adjustments; this warranted an evaluation to determine if care targets were maintained. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of service expansion on service referral rates, length of stay in the service and clinical workload. Methods A retrospective quantitative evaluation of the service data from October 2020 to April 2021 was undertaken to compare referral rates, length of stay in the service and key workload metrics between patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and those with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. All referrals to the service with a new diagnosis of heart failure (confirmed by echocardiogram or magnetic resonance imaging) were considered for evaluation. Of 250 eligible referrals, 81 were selected for inclusion using a random sampling method. Data were analysed using Chi square test, Fisher’s exact test or the Wilcoxon signed rank test; a P value of <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results The participants with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction had a median length of stay in the service of 17 weeks. The participants with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction had a significantly longer stay of 35.57 weeks (P<0.001) compared to a pre-expansion length of stay of approximately 17 weeks. Workload was proportional between the two cohorts. Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction were more likely to be reviewed in multidisciplinary teams or by the consultant community clinic. This group was less likely to attend clinic, with 96.4% of face-to-face reviews taking place at home. Telephone reviews occurred at a similar frequency for both cohorts, comprising 50% of follow ups. The heart failure with reduced ejection fraction cohort required more alterations in medication and medication titration, generating additional follow ups. Conclusions The service expansion to include patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction has had a significant impact on workload, leading to a reduction in the quality of care for those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

The power of ethnographic toolkit in understanding transnational culture

Intergenerational ethnographic research poses several practical, epistemological, and ethical challenges. This study seeks to address these complexities by encouraging researchers to construct personalised ethnographic toolkits that provide insights into uncovering the complex subjectivities of research populations through intergenerational narratives. Based on over two years of research among the Turkish community in London, the study reveals compelling examples of symbolic communication used by individuals of different generations, genders, and social roles. Using various data collection methods, including interviews, observation, drawing, and television viewing, the research illustrates how this ethnic community uses language, fashion, and religion to integrate into multicultural environments and manifest their belonging in transnational contexts. By incorporating methodological tools such as unplanned moments, reflexivity, and positionality, the study aims to understand the underpinnings of cultural identity by examining how different generations respond to social conditions shaped by migration.

Negotiating Social Protection and Care: A Study of First-Generation Older Turkish Community in London

Access to social protection in old age is crucial and yet contingent upon negotiations between the social structures of the welfare states and the personal networks within which individuals are embedded. International migration, changing family dynamics, and the transformation of care and other welfare policies in the global North make it challenging for older migrants to negotiate social protection. Drawing on 45 semi-structured interviews with first-generation older Turkish migrants in London and 13 semi-structured interviews with professional service providers for the community, the paper aims to investigate the assemblages of formal and informal social protection in the lives of older migrants. Findings indicate the complexity in accessing informal social protection and the navigation of formal care support in the UK for first generation older Turkish migrants and the contingency of access to formal care services on informal support networks for participants. It has been demonstrated that built infrastructure and policies aimed at older adults have great influence on assemblages of care, highlighting the need for more age-friendly and integrated policies to facilitate access to social protection for diverse groups of older adults.

Migration, collective remittances and religion: the growth of Alevi worship places (cemevi) in the rural homeland

ABSTRACT The influence of transnational engagements on emigrant villages has attracted noticeable scholarly attention, however, the religious dimension of the link between migration and remittances remains largely unexplored. Providing an ethnographic study exploring the dynamics and meanings involved in the growth of cemevis in villages, this paper aims to contribute to an understanding of this phenomenon, something that has received less attention in studies of migration and transnationalism. Drawing on a multi-sited ethnography of the British Alevi community in London and their villages in the Afşin-Elbistan region in Maraş province in Turkey, the paper discovers how and to what extent these transnational interactions shape places and social and religious spaces in the villages. The paper describes rural cemevis built by migrants as “remittance cemevis’ that form a channel between the diaspora and homeland and allow migrant Alevis to expand their role in the village community and influence social and cultural life.