Understanding Community Perspectives on Diabetes Type 2 in Aberfeldy, Tower Hamlets
2015
Participatory Action Research to explore community perspectives of Type 2 Diabetes on the Aberfeldy Estate, Tower Hamlets.
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Community Perspectives on Diabetes Type Two and Health and Wellbeing on the Aberfeldy Estate ReportFrom January to April 2014, a small team of local residents from Tower Hamlets, trained in participatory community research, engaged with members of the Aberfeldy Estate to explore community perspectives on Type 2 Diabetes. This growing health challenge is influenced by diet, lifestyle, obesity, and genetic and cultural factors, and is increasingly affecting younger people as well as older adults. The Aberfeldy neighbourhood was selected as a pilot site because of its existing community resources, projects, and regeneration initiatives, including Big Local, the Chrisp Street Market initiatives, the Health Trainers programme, and new housing developments. These assets offered opportunities for community-led interventions to improve health outcomes.
Our Approach
The project used Participatory Action Researh (PAR), a qualitative research method that recognises local people as experts on their own lives. Community researchers trained from the local area, engaged residents in familiar community settings—such as school gates, local streets, clubs, and cultural centres—rather than traditional focus groups or formal consultations, to reduce barriers related to confidence, literacy, or power dynamics. Wherever possible, engagement occurred in group settings to encourage conversation, sharing of experiences, and exploration of solutions from multiple perspectives.
Contrary to initial expectations that people might be reluctant to discuss diabetes, researchers found that residents were willing to share their experiences once trust was established. Over the course of the project, more than 250 people were consulted, including residents from diverse gender, age, and ethnic backgrounds, as well as local professionals and stakeholders. Community researchers communicated in multiple languages, enabling richer dialogue, particularly with the Bengali community.
Key Findings
Reframing ‘hard-to-reach’ communities
Many residents were unaware of local services or felt they were ‘not for them’. Engagement highlighted that it is often services, not people, that are hard to reach. Existing programmes, such as Big Local and Health Trainers, require more accessible, community-focused communication and connection. Strategies suggested include informal discussions at school gates, coffee mornings, or ‘talking lunches’ to build relationships between residents and service providers.
Focusing on younger generations
Residents emphasised the importance of targeting children and families to prevent the onset of diabetes. Young people can influence the behaviours of both peers and elders, helping to establish healthier habits. Mothers and caregivers expressed enthusiasm for participating in cooking, dietary education, and physical activity initiatives with their children.
Improving neighbourhood spaces
Residents highlighted the benefits of safer, cleaner, and better-used public spaces. Improvements such as tackling litter, expanding community gardens, and enhancing green spaces could promote physical activity, social interaction, and overall wellbeing.
Addressing the local food environment
The limited availability of healthy food locally was identified as a major barrier. While some progress is occurring at Chrisp Street, unhealthy options remain predominant in Aberfeldy. Residents noted that addressing food accessibility requires broader structural change, including planning and market interventions, alongside local education and engagement initiatives.
Impacts and learnings
This participatory research demonstrates that meaningful engagement with local communities provides actionable insights into health behaviours, needs, and potential solutions. Findings point to the value of connecting existing services to communities, empowering younger generations, improving neighbourhood environments, and addressing structural barriers in the local food environment. These insights can guide public health initiatives in Aberfeldy and across Tower Hamlets to reduce the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes.
”Overwhelmingly, the biggest problem in relation to healthy eating locally is the local retail food offer that is almost entirely unhealthy, with little or nothing in the way of fruit, vegetables and other healthy items on offer. Things are beginning to change at Chrisp Street, but not locally on Aberfeldy.”
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