Brain Health Workshop with the Chinese Association of Southampton

The MARC team recently met with the Chinese Association of Southampton (CAS) to deliver a brain health workshop for community members, creating space for reflection and shared learning about tips to better brain health.

Organised by Professor Michael Ng (Chairperson of CAS) and Dr Alice Oliver (MARC’s Service Development Lead), the workshop offered a relaxed, non‑judgemental environment for people to think about different parts of our lives that can impact our health.

Alongside Old Age Psychiatrists, Dr Claire Gee and Dr Daisy Williams, the MARC team facilitated a guided reflection and shared practical tips to support brain health and help reduce the risk of dementia, including:

• Moving the body regularly in ways that feel enjoyable and achievable

• Sleep and its role in memory and overall wellbeing

• Reducing smoking and alcohol where possible to support concentration and attention

• Food and eating patterns that support long‑term health

• Keeping the mind active through learning, creativity, and social activities

• Social connection and its importance for emotional and cognitive wellbeing

• Looking after long‑term health, including hearing, vision, and blood pressure
  

The session emphasised that brain health is shaped by everyday habits and circumstances, and that small, manageable steps can make a difference at any age. Life and circumstances do not always allow for perfection, but recognising one small area for care — or even deciding “not right now” — is a valid and compassionate starting point.

As part of the session, the team shared with the community members a carefully researched resource sheet on how to support someone living with dementia. This included a trusted UK helpline, practical videos in Cantonese and Mandarin, and online information sheets in Traditional and Simplified Chinese.

Alice shares, “It has been incredible to discover the range of global resources available to support people affected by dementia, across different languages and formats. From Hong Kong to Australia and Canada, organisations globally are sharing knowledge that helps us better support Chinese communities living in the UK. Dementia is a life‑changing condition, and it is powerful to be able to connect people with this information wherever they are.”

To close the workshop, Dr Claire Gee and Dr Daisy Williams shared information about two ongoing research studies currently recruiting participants. For more information about our current trials go to: https://www.marctrials.co.uk/trials-1

Professor Michael Ng shares, “The Chinese Association of Southampton is delighted to work with the MARC team in promoting greater awareness of brain health and dementia within our community. This workshop provided valuable knowledge, practical guidance and culturally accessible resources that many of our members greatly appreciated. We hope this collaboration will encourage more open conversations about brain health and support healthier and more connected communities.”

Find the resource sheet at: https://www.southamptonchinese.org.uk/homewp/other/health/brain/

At MARC, we’re on a mission to make dementia research inclusive and accessible for everyone. Ethnic minority communities often experience greater barriers to healthcare and research participation, including language barriers, lack of culturally relevant information, and limited awareness of research opportunities. By working in partnership with community organisations and sharing trusted resources, we hope to reduce these barriers and support greater inclusion of diverse populations in dementia research.

The MARC team would like to thank everyone at the CAS for their warm welcome and thoughtful engagement.

If you would like to learn more, a recorded talk on Dementia and Brain Health is available online in English and Cantonese (with translator Tristan Ko). In the video:

• Dr Daisy Williams explains what dementia is and what steps to take if symptoms are noticed

• Dr Alice Oliver shares practical brain health advice, drawing on the Think Brain Health campaign
  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uNJ8-64fbo

For further information about dementia in different languages go to DementiaUK.

Brain health resources can be found through the Think Brain Health Campaign.