Centre Chats
We recognise the emotional toll that navigating the postgraduate programme can take, particularly for those who are racially marginalised.
Regular “Centre Chats” will run throughout the academic year, providing a space for PGRs to discuss their experiences of the University in small groups. This is an opportunity to ask questions, raise issues, or simply share thoughts and reflections.
These chats will be open to postgraduate researchers of colour across the University.
Creating community
Centre Chats are not only an opportunity to share and reflect on everyday experiences, they are also a way of meeting other PGRs of colour beyond your department or field. They take place in a relaxed environment over lunch (provided by us!)
Dates for the Autumn Semester (2023) are as follows:
- Friday 27th October (1– 2pm) The Wave, Seminar Room 8
- Monday 27th November (1– 2pm) Student Union, View Room 4
- Thursday 14th December (12–1pm) Mount Lebanon, West Street
"The Centre Chats are an amazing opportunity where people are invited for reflection and it is a very safe space with fully trained facilitators".
Taking Space Support Group
In addition to Centre Chats, PGRs are also free to attend the “Taking Space Support Group”, led by the University’s Counselling Service. This is a space for students of colour at all levels of study.
Autumn Semester Dates:
These sessions will take place at 31 Claremont Crescent, and facilitated by Ronald Mutambirwa and Angela Barrows.
- Thursday 12th October (3.30 – 5pm)
- Thursday 23rd November (3.30 – 5pm)
- Thursday 14th December (3.30 – 5pm)
These sessions will take place at 31 Claremont Crescent, and facilitated by Ronald Mutambirwa and Angela Barrows.
Ronald Mutambirwa
Centre Chats - Co Facilitator
Ronald is supporting the Centre by co-facilitating Centre Chats that take place throughout the academic year.
Ronald is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and Cognitive Behavioural psychotherapist. He has 20 years of experience working in the field of mental health working with adults between 18-65. He qualified as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist at the University of Derby in 2021. He has worked within the NHS across a variety of settings as a mental health nurse and as a specialist mental health practitioner within the community working within multidisciplinary teams.
Angela Barrows
Centre Chats - Co Facilitator
Angela is supporting the Centre by co-facilitating Centre Chats that take place throughout the academic year.
Angela has worked in statutory and community-based settings, including NHS GP’s practice, multi disciplinary teams with social workers, police, youth offending teams, social enterprises and charity organisations. Her experience includes working with refugees and asylum seekers using interpreters, working with Mothers Against Crime (MAC) project working with African Caribbean young people affected by gun crime in Nottingham. Angela worked for Right Here Sheffield (2010 – 2013) a national pilot project set up to address the mental health needs and services for young people aged 16 – 25 years.