Naomi Conteh
Background
My name is Naomi, I am a wife, mother and carer, I have undertaken all these roles at different times throughout my life. However, the roles I want to focus on is my caring role and my responsibilities within my community and public health involvement. Being a carer allows me to deeply understand and empathise with a wide range of people, their cultures, and their unique perspectives.
Working as a healthcare support worker, I have supported vulnerable adults and children with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, mental health issues, and dementia. My passion lies in prioritising individuals’ needs and ensuring they feel supported and empowered.
These experiences have significantly deepened my understanding of how to provide compassionate and personalised care to different individuals, and I am always ready to expand my knowledge and learning.
My motivations for becoming a public contributor in research
My background and lived experience have shaped my deep desire to bring my insights as a carer into this public involvement role, where I can advocate for families and ensure that their voices are heard and their needs addressed in decisions about health research. I am also passionate about research and have now been actively involved in numerous research groups and studies because I recognise the transformative impact my voice can have.
My public involvement experience so far
I have participated in studies such as the MAVIS Study, Whooping Cough Study, COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, Mental Health Needs Research, a systematic review exploring the effectiveness of interventions to increase vaccination uptake, and I am also part of the Sickle Cell Patient Voice Group.
Why public involvement is important
Through my involvement in these studies, I have learned more about the research process and gained valuable insights into the barriers that can prevent people from my demographic from participating in research. Cultural, social, and religious factors often play a significant role in limiting engagement, but I believe that, by raising awareness and providing education, we can break down these barriers and encourage more people from underrepresented communities to get involved.
In my local community, I have supported families with complex needs and taken on leadership roles, such as Treasurer, coordinating activities and Women’s Leader in my church. These responsibilities have allowed me to work closely with others to create positive change in our community.
I strongly believe that research is not just for those with academic backgrounds; it is for everyone. By engaging people from diverse backgrounds, we can ensure that research is inclusive and benefits all.
What I have enjoyed about being involved in research
My involvement in research has changed my perspective, made me more confident, and empowered me to speak out and educate others about their rights and the importance of informed decision-making. I have seen how research connects us to opportunities and develops essential life skills, and I am eager to bring this experience to the role and continue making a positive impact.