Combining Listening Cafés and a Games-Based Co-Design Approach for Public Involvement With Underserved Communities: A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health Research
• Community Engagement
• Health Equity

Background:

• Meaningful involvement of diverse communities in health research is essential.
• Games can facilitate engagement and shared understanding.
• Limited guidance exists for games-based co-design with underserved groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a combined Listening Café and games-based approach for public involvement.
• To support meaningful health conversations with community members.
• To develop a replicable model for inclusive health research involvement.

Main Methods:

• Collaborated with community partners in Southern England using Family Hubs.
• Employed the Listening Café model for trust-building through shared food and informal conversations.
• Conducted three co-design sessions and a follow-up, with evaluation via feedback forms and reflections.

Main Results:

• Co-designed the card game 'Me: Inside and Out' to discuss health condition challenges.
• The game fostered rich conversations, empathy, and sharing of lived experiences.
• Community members felt heard, valued, and more connected through involvement.

Conclusions:

• A combined Listening Café and games-based co-design approach effectively involves underserved communities in health research.
• Cultural sensitivity, shared ownership, and relationship-building are key for inclusion.
• This model addresses barriers to involvement, ensuring research reflects community voices.