Bristol Somali families with experience of autism project greeted with enthusiasm by local stakeholders

The NIHR CLAHRC West project working with Bristol Somali families with experience of autism was presented to an enthusiastic group of stakeholders at two events as part of Healthy City Week Bristol.

The team presented to around 30 people, including local councillors Carole Johnson and Mike Davies, people who work with local children at children’s centres and other early years settings, representatives from charities including Barnado’s, local housing associations, Somali linkworkers, and, most importantly, people from the local Somali community. Attendees were very keen to get involved in further work with the team.

The meetings were promoted at the community venues hosting them, as well as through local Somali groups. The events were held at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre in Lawrence Hill as part of the Healthy City Week Bristol community launch day, and Junction 3 Library in Easton.

Research team members Nura Aabe, Fiona Fox and Dheeraj Rai appeared on local radio, including Bristol Community Radio and BBC Radio Bristol to talk about the project and the presentations. The team will also be presenting their work and a community play exploring the issues at the Houses of Parliament on 2 November.