Community, data and movement: Our journey with “Data in Motion”

My name is Ioana Stoica and I work with the Belfast Intercultural Romanian Speaking Community in Northern Ireland.

This community group consists of a great bunch of people who dedicate their time, energy, and ideas to support Romanian families living in Northern Ireland by helping people connect, access opportunities, and feel part of the wider community. Many of the young people we work with are growing up between cultures. They are active, curious, and creative, but they often face barriers such as language differences, digital exclusion, or limited access to youth activities.

A group of children sit on chairs in a room decorated with sunflowers and bookshelves. One child holds a small flag with blue, yellow, and red stripes. Behind the children are shelves filled with books and various displayed items, including framed sports memorabilia. Sunlight comes through a large window on the right side of the room.

Why Take the Lead?

We heard about the Take the Lead community grants from Health Data Research UK from an NI Science Festival newsletter and it immediately felt relevant to our work. Data can sometimes sound technical or distant from everyday life, but in reality, we all create and use data every day through our habits, movements, and experiences.

We applied because we wanted to help young people in our community understand that data can be a tool for learning about themselves and improving their wellbeing. We also wanted to show families that health data does not only belong in hospitals or research centres, it can start with simple observations from our daily lives.

A group of adults and children sit and stand around a long table in a bright room, taking part in an arts and crafts activity. The table is covered with paper, flowers, craft materials, water bottles, and fruit. One person near the back holds up a sheet of paper while others work on projects or assist children. A wall-mounted calendar and windows are visible in the background.

Data in Motion

Our project, “Data in Motion,” is a six-week programme designed for Romanian young people aged 11–17 living in Belfast and the Armagh area.

The idea is simple: combine movement, creativity, and reflection to explore how everyday data connects to health and wellbeing.

Young people take part in activities such as a step challenge, guided community walks, and creative workshops. During these sessions, they collect simple data about their daily lives, for example steps walked, sleep patterns, mood, healthy food or places in their neighbourhood that make them feel relaxed or stressed.

After collecting this information, the group reflects on what it means. Together they transform their insights into creative outputs like posters, maps, journals, and artwork.

One lesson we’ve learned is that youth naturally engage with data when it is meaningful and playful. They quickly saw patterns, compared results, and reflected on their routines. Unexpectedly, families also became involved, asking questions and sharing their own experiences. It’s shown us that when data is accessible and relevant, it empowers both individuals and communities.

A child stands next to a large tree in a park, holding pieces of paper against the tree’s bark. The ground is covered in leaves and flowers, and pathways and grassy areas extend into the background.

A group of people stand on a park path with two baby strollers. Trees and grass surround the area. One child stands beside an adult, while two other adults stand next to the strollers, which are covered with blankets.

A person stands outdoors on a paved area near trees and a building. The person is wearing a two‑tone fleece jacket and jeans with a small device clipped to the waistband. The sky is partly cloudy.

A person sits at a table holding a sheet of paper decorated with flowers, leaves, and handwritten notes. The table in front of the person is covered with craft materials, water bottles, and various small items. Other people are seated around the same table working on crafts.

More than health data

To other community groups thinking about applying: you don’t need to be a data expert. Start with your community’s needs and find creative ways to connect data to everyday life. Small projects can have a big impact when people are actively involved.

To researchers wanting to collaborate: trust and openness are key. Communities want to be partners, not just participants. By listening, respecting lived experience, and working together, the results can be richer and more meaningful, we need to feel like we are a team.

As a foreigner myself, living away from my home country, I know how important it is to feel connected and supported. That’s why this work matters to me personally, it’s not just about funding, data or workshops, it’s about creating a place where people feel seen, understood, and part of something bigger.

A large group of people, including adults and children, stand together outdoors on a paved area in front of a park sign that reads ‘Belfast City Council – Ormeau Park.’ Several strollers are positioned near the front, and some children hold papers. Leafless trees and a cloudy sky form the background.

Find out more

Are you a community group interested in engagement opportunities? Sign up to HDR UK Voices to stay up-to-date.

For anything else, including partnerships and collaborations, get in touch with the Public Involvement and Engagement team at involvement@hdruk.ac.uk.

Our 2026 Take the Lead cohort has been kindly supported by our Big Data for Complex Disease Driver Programme, British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre, Cancer Research UK and Smart Data Research UK.