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Contact Information:

Dr Shirley Evans
+44 1905 542664
shirley.evans@worc.ac.uk


Mr Thomas Morton
+44 1905 542738
t.morton@worc.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Food Glorious Food: What are benefits and challenges of involving food and food-related activities in community-based support groups for people affected by dementia?
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Food Glorious Food: What are benefits and challenges of involving food and food-related activities in community-based support groups for people affected by dementia?

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Mixed

Leominster Worcester London Wednesbury Evesham, Worcestershire Wolverhampton

Medical Conditions

Post-diagnostic support for people with dementia (typically early stages)

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Food is not just about getting enough to eat. Food can be important to how we live our lives, see ourselves and interact with other people. It can provide comfort and joy for many. Preparing and eating meals together can be a chance to spend time with people, have fun and use different skills. Community groups that support people with dementia often give people the chance to eat together or involve food in their activities. As well as giving people something good to eat, these opportunities can encourage people to go along to groups that might support them and help overcome some of the stigma around dementia.

However, it can be hard to get this right. People with dementia may feel self-conscious when eating or need extra support. Food choices can be personal and people may be put off from coming along if they don’t like what the community group is offering. The right equipment and training is also needed to work with food safely. Some community groups may think twice about providing food and miss out on the possible benefits. For example, they could help people make their own decisions about what they eat, socialise and take part in activities, celebrate their own culture, and eat well.

Past dementia studies have focussed on how to get people to eat enough food or eat healthily, usually in care homes or hospitals. Not much is known about the wider benefits to people’s health and happiness of including food in community group support. We want to learn about the benefits and difficulties of doing things such as providing meals and snacks or preparing food together. In our own previous work this topic was often raised, both by people attending groups and by staff and volunteers.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

01 Oct 2024 31 May 2025

In this 18-month project led by the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester, we will go along to six different community groups attended by people living with dementia and those that care for them. We will see what they do in each group and talk to a range of people there (including attendees and those supporting them, group organisers, staff and volunteers) about their experiences with food and food-based activities. We will also work with some people in each group to understand their individual experience of food and social eating. We will then use what they tell us to find out why things do and don’t work for people in different circumstances.


People who have had involvement with and/or first-hand knowledge and experience of food and food-related practices at a community group, and work with/care for a person with dementia.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


Participants will be excluded if:1. They have never attended nor had involvement with community group support2. They do not have the capacity to take part in interviews or discussions3. They refuse consent or request to be withdrawn from the study after they have done so4. A personal consultee advises against their participation on their behalf5. They show signs of negative attitude, discomfort or upset, or of not wishing to take part, when explaining the study and study processes, or before or during interview or discussion


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Leominster Meeting Centre
    The Old Priory, The Priory
    Leominster
    HR6 8EQ
  • Age UK Dementia Cafes
    Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Malvern Gate, Bromwich Road
    Worcester
    WR2 4BN
  • Nubian Life Resource Centre
    50 Ellerslie Road
    London
    W12 7BW
  • Satrang Community Group
    c/o DOSTI, 14 Bird Brook Close
    Wednesbury
    WS10 8NB
  • Evesham and District Meeting Centre
    20 Church Street
    Evesham, Worcestershire
    WR11 1DS
  • Ekta Group
    Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, 191 Duncan Street
    Wolverhampton
    WV2 3AJ

By taking part in this research participants will have the opportunity to give voice to their experience, observations and opinions regarding food and food activities at their community group. For some, this will be an empowering opportunity and many find the experience of taking part in such interviews interesting and enjoyable. In addition participants will be providing information to help community group support for people like them to improve how they do things and what they offer, directly benefitting those attending, working at, and invested in that community group. The research ultimately aims to help community groups run effectively and efficiently, engage more people and thrive. Hence participants will have the knowledge that they are playing a part in helping others, which can help boost self-esteem and a feeling of agency.
"However, while the focus of this research is not expected to be generally or explicitly sensitive, embarrassing or upsetting for most, there is the possibility that for some, their relationship with food and eating may be complex and intersect with experiences of vulnerability, disability and social stigma, and hence of a sensitive, personal and potentially upsetting nature. Steps will be taken to mitigate this risk, including showing participants potential question topics and talking them through before agreeing to interview, with researchers vigilant for any signs of discomfort or distress during interview, in which case the interview will be paused or stopped. Participants will be told that they do not have to answer any question they are not comfortable with and may ask to move on, stop the interview or withdraw from participation altogether at any time. Interviews will take place at the group support setting itself, or at a place chosen by the participant where they feel safe and comfortable, with either staff or a supporting person on hand to help if participants do become distressed or upset.
Members of the public will be involved in the project from start to finish. A group of people living with dementia, family carers, community providers and academics will provide guidance throughout. We will work with people living with dementia and family carers to create booklets, videos and online materials to explain the most important things we learn from this project. These will be shared with the community groups involved in our study and their wider networks, as well as relevant community organisations and health and social care authorities. We will also write and publish academic articles and include what we learn in future training courses to help make people more aware.

Mr Thomas Morton
+44 1905 542738
t.morton@worc.ac.uk


Dr Shirley Evans
+44 1905 542664
shirley.evans@worc.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by University of Worcester and funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN11887022
Last updated 14 April 2025

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