£25k project to promote brain health in the UK’s Chinese community
Following a £25k funding boost from Alzheimer’s Research UK, a new programme will engage with the Chinese community to promote good brain health.
Dr Jennifer Lim at The University of Wolverhampton will work within five community groups in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, London and Bristol to adapt the campaign to meet the needs of Chinese communities.
Existing materials by Alzheimer’s Research ‘Think Brain Health’ initiative will be translated into Mandarin and delivered in appropriate languages (Cantonese, Hakka and Mandarin).
The team will also co-produce culturally appropriate materials regarding dementia to lay the foundation for intervention and research in the community.
Dementia is a condition caused by several diseases and it affects one in 14 people aged over 65 years old. By 2026, the number of Chinese people in the UK over the age of 65 will exceed a quarter of a million, and it’s forecast that 18,215 of them will be living with dementia.
Dr Jennifer Lim, who is leading the project from the University of Wolverhampton, said: “Research has shown that there are positive steps we can take to reduce the risk of dementia by looking after our brain health, but without culturally appropriate materials, this message would fail to reach everyone in the multi-cultural UK.
“This project will build vital capacity and knowledge in Chinese community organisations about dementia and co-create engaging materials to build an understanding of brain health.”
The ‘Think Brain Health’ initiative provides 40 everyday tips for better brain health as well as quizzes, information, and blogs about how to stay brain healthy.
The tips are centred around three pillars of brain health: love your heart, stay sharp, and keep connected. Tips include cleaning around the house, learning a new language, making plans with an old friend, swapping a cocktail for a mocktail and joining a club.
The £25k project is part of the charity’s Inspire Fund, a funding pot used to engage the public with dementia and ongoing research. Projects in this year’s round of funding are particularly geared towards engaging with underserved audiences, building knowledge in brain health and engaging people with progress in dementia research.
Tim Parry, Director at the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “The Inspire Fund is an innovative way for Alzheimer’s Research UK to fund grassroots outreach projects and support communities doing important work building understanding of dementia.”
“Think Brain Health is all about letting people know how incredible the brain is and, whatever your situation, there are things you can do to help look after it. There’s no one sure-fire way to prevent dementia but research shows that keeping your brain healthy, especially in midlife, can help to reduce the risk of the condition.”
