News ‘Feeling that we matter gives us strength’ says M-RIC investigator
Telling people how much they matter gives them strength and a sense of belonging.
That was the message from M-RIC Co-Lead Investigator Professor Rhiannon Corcoran, at an event to mark International Women’s Day at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.
Rhiannon was speaking at an M-RIC funded celebration organised by Savera UK, a charity which works to end ‘honour-based’ abuse and all harmful practices.
She told the audience of more than 200 women: “We all rely on strengths that we call resilience factors, which include hope and the feeling that we matter.
“Hope keeps us going during difficult times; and feeling that we matter makes us feel strong, that we belong and are part of a community.
“What really matters is that we know that we matter which is why it is such a lovely thing to be part of International Women’s Day (IWD) and celebrate the way we all support each other. A lot of people in the world feel invisible and there is no experience quite so devastating as feeling that you don’t matter and you’re not valued.”
The celebration event was opened by Merfat Musleh from Savera UK and began with an address by Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, followed by a performance from the Lighthouse Choir.
M-RIC Lead for Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Jahanara Miah said:
“Engagement with local community organisations such as Savera UK is crucial for building trust in research engagement by leveraging their cultural sensitivity, rapport-building capabilities, and access to underserved groups.”
Aligning with this year’s IWD theme #Inspire inclusion, Jahanara talked about the importance of inclusive research and active learning; and actively listening to affected groups and working together to address health inequalities and how patient and public involvement in research aims to implement these principles.
Dr Helen Page spoke about a new regional mood disorders clinic which is being established and Dr Tarela Ike described her work exploring psychological interventions for maternal depression among women of African and Caribbean origin.
Public Engagement Research Co-ordinator Gail Faragher; Public Advisor Lara Reynolds; Dr Helen Page; Professor Rhiannon Corcoran and Public Advisor Debra Reis at the event
The founding director of the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards Ellie Kerr, appealed for more nominations to recognise the achievements of women – including those of a fellow speaker, Abby Younis who described her life history as a ‘story of self-belief’.
The celebration finished with LAAF dance workshops.
The Lighthouse Choir