Tania Aramburo Muro

Thesis: Exploring equality of access to community mental health assets promoted through a novel digital national hub: A mixed methods investigation.

UK mental health (MH) system faces a treatment gap characterised by rising demand, limited resources, and widening inequalities. This gap disproportionately affects individuals from socio-economically deprived backgrounds (Lowther-Payne et al., 2023) and minoritised ethnic groups (Barnett et al., 2019). Community mental health assets, particularly those offered through voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors, have emerged as crucial resources for promoting wellbeing and alleviating systemic pressure (Moore et al., 2022). These assets, defined as any factor that enhances individuals' and communities' capacity to maintain health and reduce inequalities (Morgan & Ziglio, 2007), are increasingly integrated into policy through initiatives such as social prescribing and digital directories (Cooper et al., 2022). However, limited evidence exists regarding equitable access to such support, particularly for disadvantaged adults.

This collaborative project investigates inequalities in access to community MH resources via the Hub of Hope, a UK-wide digital platform developed by the MH charity Chasing the Stigma. Employing a mixed methods design, the study is structured in two phases. The first involves quantitative data analytics of user engagement across socio-demographic regions using anonymised hub data and public deprivation indices. The second phase uses qualitative approaches, including photovoice interviews with adults from deprived areas and healthcare professionals, to explore the lived experience of navigating and promoting the platform.

The research aims to uncover lived expertise barriers to equitable access and inform recommendations for inclusive digital MH infrastructure. Findings will support advocacy, influence health and social care strategies for improving community-based MH care and contribute to scholarship on (1) digital health equity and social determinants of mental wellbeing, (2) creative participatory research knowledge and practices.

Biography:

Tania Aramburo is a researcher in mental health whose work focuses on understanding inequalities in access to community mental health support through a nationwide digital platform that connects people to local services. The project examines patterns of use through quantitative analysis and explores people’s experiences through qualitative research. Its objectives are to identify who may be missing out on support and to generate evidence that can help create more equitable pathways to mental health care.

Tania has completed postgraduate programmes in social sciences and social change. She has worked across the United Kingdom and Latin America in research project management and in public health programme co-creation, implementation, and monitoring. Her professional background includes managing international research projects, and collaborating with communities and third sector organisations to reduce health and social inequalities. She has published work on mental health disparities and on access to health treatments.

Alongside her research, Tania is committed to interdisciplinary collaboration and enjoys integrating research in social sciences with approaches that highlight people’s lived experiences. She is passionate about reducing inequalities and about generating evidence that inform policy and practice to ensure community mental health support is accessible to all.

Health and Life Sciences

De Montfort University

2025 Cohort

Email:

Supervisors:

Prof Raghu Raghavan

Dr Blessing Marandure

Collaborative Partner:

Chasing the Stigma