Roxanne works as Lead Nurse for Research at Moorfields Eye Hospital. She has pioneered a massive effort in the past few years to recruit people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds into eye health research. She has steered patients and the public towards the Research Opportunities at Moorfields (ROAM) platform, which has seen an increase in impact and numbers. It now hosts more than 3500 members, including 2000 PPIE volunteers. Initially, she commissioned the adverts for ROAM to be translated into 21 languages which appear in eye health clinics nationwide.
Roxanne and her team also use public engagement in a very pure form. Fortnightly, Roxanne and her team volunteer with local and national charity organisations to promote eye health and research opportunities in churches, temples, mosques, barber shops, street fayres, food banks and community events. They have also appeared on community radio and attend as many events as possible. They actively invest their time and resources to advocate for eye health and the underserved community.
“My commitment to advocating for reducing health inequalities in underserved communities reflects a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of equitable opportunities through research. Through my unwavering dedication and trustful partnerships, I have consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of the pressing issues facing these communities and the urgent need for positive change.”
Roxanne says of her work
In addition to work for ROAM Roxanne is an Honorary Associate Professor with the NIHR and is a founding member of National Charity BAMEVision who aim to address issues related to minority ethnic communities for blind and partially sighted people and those at risk of sight loss, whilst ensuring that they can take advantage of the opportunities they are given in the same way anyone else would.