Research Showcase – Barriers to Engagement in Underserved Groups

This Research Showcase is where I will be sharing the findings from my latest research project exploring one key question: What barriers prevent engagement within underserved groups in our community?

Through my work with Mindset Maintenance CIC, I have seen that Portsmouth is home to so many brilliant wellbeing and mental health services. Yet what I continue to hear is that the issue is not availability, it is engagement. At one of our charity events, 30% of people said they did not attend local groups or workshops because they “didn’t have time.” Is it really time, or are we becoming disconnected for other reasons?

This project compares insight from Portsmouth and Brisbane. During my 2025 visit to Australia, I have been connecting with professionals working with community outreach organisations, shadowing and interviewing key people to understand what is working well, what is not, and what we can learn from each other.

At this showcase, I will talk honestly about what I have learned about engagement, how my research question evolved along the way, the role unconscious bias has played in shaping my own research process, and the practical tips I believe can help us reach underserved groups more meaningfully.

This is not just about presenting research. It is about starting better conversations and finding ways to create real change together.