The Covid-19 Talk Listen Change (TLC) project is led by Dr Nasreen Ali, Reader in Public Health Equality at the University’s Institute of Health Research.

It will seek the views and experiences of the virus from these communities to better understand how they have been affected by the pandemic. A key goal of the initiative is to work with residents to develop solutions to some of the identified barriers and issues in order to tackle health inequalities.

Professor Gurch Randhawa, Professor of Diversity in Public Health and Director of the IHR, who is working with Dr Nasreen Ali, said: "The University of Bedfordshire is committed to ensuring a voice for all communities affected by Covid-19. We are delighted to be working with Luton Borough Council to develop community-centred solutions to reduce health inequalities."

The project will include:

• An online community survey to allow residents to share their views
• Online focus group discussions with Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian and the black African and black Caribbean community members living in wards most affected by Covid-19 (Northwell, Leagrave, Biscot, Dallow, Saints and South)
• One to one interviews with frontline health and social care workers
• Community debates via online events

Councillor Khtija Malik, Portfolio holder with responsibility for public health and wellbeing at the Council, said:

"In Luton, data has revealed that the impact of this pandemic has been particularly detrimental for our Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian and the black African and black Caribbean community members living in areas of greatest deprivation in the town.

"Working together we can develop solutions so that we can reduce local health disparities. I am therefore encouraging residents as well as health and social care workers from these particular communities to come forward and engage in the project. Their input is crucial in helping the council to protect communities most affected by Covid-19 and to allow us to develop services to meet your needs.

"Please complete the survey today and sign up to join a community focus group or participate in a one to one interview – your views really do matter."

This initiative is part of the work plan of the Health Inequalities Delivery Board, a sub-group of the Health and Wellbeing Board. The findings of this project will be key to informing the ongoing work for these boards to tackle inequalities in Luton, including the response and resilience to the Covid-19 pandemic.

To contribute to the project by completing the survey, joining a community focus group or participating in an interview, click here.

For more information on research and study opportunities at the University’s Institute for Health Research, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/ihr/