Qualitative Lead(s)
Dr Chanelle Myrie
Project Lead & Team
Dr Chanelle Myrie (KCL) – Principal Investigator
Prof Vanessa Lawrence (KCL) – Supervisor
Prof Stephani Hatch (KCL) – Supervisor
Community co-researchers from Black communities will be recruited and involved throughout the research process.
Project Dates
October 2024 - April 2029
Funding Source(s)
Wellcome Trust
Qualitative Design used
Field of Research
Mental health inequalities; culturally centred interventions; digital mental health; participatory research; community co-production.
Geographic/Contextual Setting
United Kingdom
This project aims to develop a culturally tailored digital mental wellbeing intervention designed with and for people from Black communities. Using participatory qualitative approaches, the study will identify key intervention components, co-design the digital tool with community co-researchers, and assess its feasibility, accessibility and acceptability.
Qualitative Approach and Methods
Aim of the qualitative component
To identify the key components of an effective mental wellbeing intervention for people from Black communities and to co-design a culturally tailored digital intervention that is acceptable, accessible, and meaningful to the communities it is intended to support.
Qualitative methodology
Participatory action research using reflexive thematic analysis.
Which qualitative methods were used?
Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with individuals from Black communities and professionals who work with Black communities, alongside participatory co-design activities with community co-researchers.
Sampling & recruitment
Up to ten community co-researchers will be recruited to collaborate with the research team throughout the study. Additional participants will be recruited from Black communities and from professionals working with these communities to inform the development and evaluation of the intervention.
Data analysis: how the team made sense of the data
Interview and focus group data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Co-researchers will contribute to interpreting findings and shaping intervention design through collaborative analysis and co-design workshops.
Findings, Learning & Impact
Summary of main findings
This project is ongoing.
Why were qualitative methods used in this project, and what did they enable?
Qualitative and participatory approaches are central to this project because they enable a deeper understanding of lived experience, cultural context, and barriers to accessing mental wellbeing support. These methods allow the research team to explore how wellbeing is understood within Black communities and to identify priorities that may not be captured by existing interventions.
By involving community members as co-researchers, the study ensures that experiential knowledge directly shapes the intervention’s design and content. This approach supports the development of a culturally relevant intervention and strengthens partnerships with communities that have historically been underrepresented in mental health research.
Impact & influence
The project aims to develop an accessible and culturally tailored digital wellbeing intervention that could help address inequalities in access to mental health support. Findings will inform future research on culturally centred digital interventions and contribute to improving the equity and inclusivity of mental health services.
For more information or to enquire about becoming a co-researcher, please contact Dr Chanelle Myrie (chanelle.myrie@kcl.ac.uk).