Four weeks into my role as a Community Mobiliser for the ReCITE (Building Research by Communities to Address Inequities Through Expression) project at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), I can already feel something powerful taking root. It speaks directly to my passion for working alongside communities to drive real, lasting change.
At its heart, ReCITE is about lifting people up and helping communities and individuals live healthier, longer lives by addressing social, structural, and cultural issues to good health and wellbeing. This innovative initiative, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), uses storytelling and creative expression to challenge inequities in healthcare.For me, it’s a continuation of a golden thread that has always run through my work and everything I do: a commitment to health equity.
Week 1: A Warm Welcome and a Clear Vision
From day one, I felt genuinely welcomed by the LSTM team. The structure is solid, the support is there, and the enthusiasm from my line manager made it clear: I am in the right place.
Between E-learning modules and familiarising myself with policies and protocols, I explored the LSTM campus and began meeting colleagues across teams. Even in these early conversations, it was clear that the ReCITE team understands that real impact comes from working with communities and not for them.
That’s exactly the mindset that drew me to this role.
Week 2: Connections That Matter
In my second week, things began to take shape. I attended the first co-researchers meeting, a thoughtful, inclusive space where people with lived experience are equal partners in research. It was also heartening to see practical inclusion in action, like being catered for my food intolerances, a small gesture, but a big sign of care.
I also took on my role as coach for three Community Innovation Teams (CITs): CHAMS referrals in Sefton, Lung Cancer Screening in Knowsley and a Youth led- CIT in Toxteth. It was energising to learn more about the other 8 CITs across the Liverpool city Region.
CITs are central to ReCITE’s approach. They operate at the interface between communities and primary healthcare, bringing together residents, health professionals, creatives, and local organisations to co-design solutions that address real health challenges using both data and lived experience.
I also connected with programme management colleagues to better understand the financial systems and infrastructure that support this vital work.
Week 3: Grounded in Creativity and Community Voice
Week 3 deepened my understanding and excitement. A core group meeting provided a broader picture of how the CITs are progressing and how all the pieces are starting to connect.
One highlight was a creative writing session with Aiden Jolly, Co-Artistic Director (Research) from ReCITE partner Collective Encounters, alongside our principal investigator Professor Miriam Taegtmeyer. The energy in the room was palpable. Creative tools like storytelling and performance offer powerful ways for people to express health experiences that are often overlooked or unheard.
As always, grassroots voices are the priority. I focussed on planning for the youth-led CIT, a unique initiative where young people will decide what health inequality they want to address, shaping the project authentically from their own perspective. It’s an empowering process that ensures a truly youth-led approach.
Week 4: Stepping into Momentum
By week 4, things had truly started to flow.
The Lung Cancer Screening CIT has made strong progress in preparing for the screening programme’s arrival in Kirkby this winter. To increase participation, we’ve engaged our creative team, strategic leads, and local grassroots organisations to spread awareness and encourage attendance. Community input is already shaping how the service will run, aiming to improve on previous results where 62.3% of invited patients did not attend screening.
Another highlight was a planning session with Tiber, a youth organisation in Toxteth, who agreed to lead the youth CIT. The meeting was energising and full of promise and reminding me why I do this work.
One of my favourite moments this week? A walk through Sefton Park with a ReCITE colleague , sharing lychees, cherries and ideas. For me, community work is about people first and not just projects. Those informal, human connections matter just as much as strategy.
A compact CIT support meeting brought us back to focus. - And yes, I finally finished my E-learning!
Looking Ahead: Keeping Equity as my Golden Thread
As I reflect on this first month, I see a clear throughline, the golden thread of equity that’s guided my work in the past and now connects seamlessly with the vision of ReCITE. This isn’t just a health project. It’s a collective, community-driven effort to reimagine what wellbeing can look like - from the ground up.
The next step? Deepening our partnerships with grassroots organisations. Listening more. Building trust. Co-designing solutions that reflect the richness, challenges, and strengths of the communities we serve. The next 4 weeks will be full of creativity, innovation plans and building networks around my amazing CIT’s. I can’t wait.
Week 5 — let’s go.
→ Read on and find out more about Jayne and her passion: Here’s her profile “Getting to know Jayne Hoarty, Community Mobiliser”
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ReCITE is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation. |
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