Together with Cysters, a team from Coventry University and social enterprise Hope For The Community invite you to a paint and sip event on 31st January, to talk about Hope PCOS, a self-management support course to help adults living with polycystic ovary syndrome manage their health and wellbeing.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects at least 1 in 10 women and adults assigned female at birth, with a disproportionate impact on those from Black, Asian, and other minoritised backgrounds. This common hormone condition not only affects physical health but also has significant implications for mental well-being and quality of life.
PCOS and Minoritised Women in the UK
PCOS can affect people differently across ethnic groups, with minoritised adults facing unique challenges:
- Higher Incidence: Those from some communities, e.g. South Asian backgrounds, are more likely to develop PCOS and are more prone to other metabolic problems, such as type 2 diabetes.
- Mental Health Disparities: PCOS is associated with an increased risk of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and minoritised adults may feel less able to discuss their mental health concerns with healthcare providers.
- Cultural Barriers: Stigma, cultural taboos, and lack of awareness may prevent minoritised adults from seeking help, discussing PCOS symptoms openly, or getting support from the wider community.
The HOPE PCOS course
Dr Carol Percy from Coventry University and a team at social enterprise Hope For The Community have worked with patients, PCOS advocacy group Verity and hospital doctors to create a peer support course for adults living with the condition.
HOPE PCOS is a 6 week online support course for adults with (PCOS). Like a virtual class it covers six main areas to help manage PCOS better. These include dealing with stress, feeling good about yourself and your body, and making healthy lifestyle choices. The course teaches you how to take care of yourself and gives you the knowledge to feel more in control of your health. It’s all online, so you can access it from home. You get to connect with others who have PCOS, share your experiences and learn from peers who really understand what you’re going through.
With a research grant from The Waterloo Foundation the Coventry University team has been testing the Hope PCOS course in a feasibility randomised controlled trial, with a view to improving the course and offering it to the NHS.
Reaching Out to Minoritised Communities
As Hope PCOS continues to develop and adapt, we want to ensure we meet the needs of minoritised communities, working together to reduce health inequities and improve outcomes for all those living with PCOS.
We are inviting you to this paint and sip discussion event to share the findings of Hope PCOS research to date, and to ask for your suggestions on improving the course and making it more inclusive. We will share what previous course participants have told us about their experiences and ask you for your suggestions on how to make the course more culturally sensitive, supportive and empowering.
Details below
Sip, Paint & Reclaim: A Creative Journey with PCOS Tickets, Fri 31 Jan 2025 at 18:00 | Eventbrite
This research project was supported by a Child Development Fund Research Grant from the Waterloo Foundation (Ref no. 1423-5084). The project was delivered in partnership with Verity PCOS charity & Hope For The Community (H4C).
