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Jakarin Ali has joined the ARC North East and North Cumbria on an Research Internship, hosted by Newcastle University, to explore the most effective ways to implement in-person training around better mealtimes for people with dementia, in care homes.

You can read more about the better mealtimes project here, which is led by ARC NENC Dementia Research Fellow, James Faraday.

In this blog, she has kindly shared some insights into her background, and what she aims to achieve through this internship.

My background

I am a registered social worker with extensive experience in children’s social care, primarily focused on child protection. My journey into social work began in 2018 while on maternity leave from my role as a vocational science and personal development trainer, where I taught learners of all ages and backgrounds.

This experience ignited my passion for mentoring and helping others, which inspired me to pursue the intensive Step Up to Social Work qualification. This qualification has opened up numerous pathways for me to promote social justice and make a meaningful impact in people’s lives.

While my career so far has been rooted in children’s social care, I am keen to expand my knowledge and experience in adult social care. I have always been deeply interested in research and exploring how theory translates into practice across various disciplines.

In addition to my work in social care, I am a passionate artist and have been awarded a bursary and art studio by The Collective Studio at the NewBridge Project.

I proudly identify as a British-born Geordie Bangladeshi and a practising Muslim mum – both key parts of my identity that shape who I am, and influence the areas of work and research I am passionate about.

Tell us some more about the internship?

During this six-month internship, I will be completing a Rapid Research (RR) project using the principles of the Cochrane Rapid Review methodology.

This project involves collaborating with dementia research fellow James Faraday, a speech therapist by profession, to explore the most effective ways to implement in-person training around mealtimes in care homes.

Working quickly and efficiently, and integrating Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) throughout the process, we aim to generate actionable insights to improve care practices and enhance the quality of life for residents during mealtime routines.

What do you hope to gain from this internship?

Through this internship, I hope to gain a better understanding of research and develop practical skills in this field.

I aim to build networks within the research community and enhance my understanding of working in a research setting as both a social worker and a researcher.

I am also keen to learn about what others are doing in academia and explore how research can influence policy changes in social work and society more broadly.

By integrating the voices from lived experiences and Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), I aspire to help shape social work practices and drive positive changes that extend beyond the profession.