Abstract
Background: In 2024, 3.5% of patients reviewed in Dementia CNS clinics at St George’s Hospital, South-West London, identified as African or Afro-Caribbean according to audit data, despite the census recording the local population of these groups as over 10%. This underrepresentation is more concerning given national findings indicate that dementia rates are 22% higher among Black individuals in the UK compared to White counterparts. The disparity highlights systemic barriers to diagnosis, care, and research; emphasising the urgent need for culturally tailored outreach strategies. The aim of this café was to improve dementia-related health literacy and increase awareness and engagement in research among African-Caribbean communities in Wandsworth through a culturally responsive, community-led initiative.
Methods: A multidisciplinary team of dementia nurses, research nurses, and hospital chaplain co-developed a community café in partnership with a local African-Caribbean charity. Over five weeks, community members were trained as Dementia/Research Champions, learning about dementia myths, caregiving and the importance of research. Together, they co-designed and hosted a Dementia Research Café in a trusted community space, ensuring the information provided was accessible to all attendees and culturally appropriate.
Results: 40 participants, including people living with dementia and carers attended. The café included a presentation on brain health and table-based discussions facilitated by research staff. To promote understanding and challenge stigma, "myth busters" game was used to share accurate, accessible information in an engaging way. Outcomes included increased awareness, greater willingness to seek support, improved cultural competence among healthcare providers, and new pathways for research inclusion. The initiative fostered stronger collaboration between hospital and community; demonstrating how culturally sensitive, community-led approaches can effectively reduce health inequalities in dementia care.
Conclusion: The Dementia Research Café demonstrates that locally tailored, culturally sensitive approaches can meaningfully engage underrepresented communities, fostering trust, improving health literacy, and laying foundations for equitable research inclusion.