More than 70 guests gathered at Hartpury University on 12 February for a special event celebrating the launch of The Ruh Collective, a not-for-profit movement established by members of the Muslim community in Gloucestershire, working in partnership on a community-led research project.
Hartpury was also proud to host the premiere of the fourth film in the Unreflected Reflections series. The event marked more than a premiere or partnership milestone; it demonstrated the tangible impact that can be achieved when a university works in collaboration with the communities it serves. Bringing together representatives from NHS England, Gloucestershire County Council, Active Gloucestershire, Barnwood Trust, Cardiff University, and Gloucestershire Police, alongside community leaders, students, and local residents, the event offered an opportunity for networking between all stakeholders and interested parties. The breadth of organisations represented reflected a shared recognition that improving health and wellbeing outcomes requires cross-sector partnership, trust, and sustained engagement.
Read on as Mark Hayward from Hartpury University shares his insights into this important project.
Reflective Futures
At the heart of the event was the Reflective Futures project, a UKRI-funded participatory research project bringing together researchers, postgraduate students, and community members to explore health, sport, and exercise participation through lived experience and co-produced research.
Rather than positioning the university as a distant expert, the project is built on the principle that communities are equal partners in shaping research questions, interpreting findings, and identifying solutions.
A model for civic engagement
The launch of The Ruh Collective marked a significant evolution in that approach. Created by individuals from the Muslim community, The Ruh Collective brings together diverse minds and experiences united by a commitment to storytelling, representation, and meaningful engagement.
Its mission centres on improving understanding, wellbeing, and opportunity by amplifying underrepresented voices and creating spaces where experiences can be shared safely and constructively.
For Hartpury University, the collaboration represents a model of civic engagement that aligns closely with the ethos of smaller, specialist institutions: agile, relational, and rooted in place.
By combining academic expertise with community leadership, the partnership seeks to understand barriers and opportunities around physical activity, support culturally informed health and wellbeing initiatives, and build trust between institutions and the Muslim community in Gloucestershire.
The premiere of the fourth film in the Unreflected Reflections series, Nourishing Souls, was received with high praise. The film offers a powerful exploration of health, sport, and exercise experiences within the Gloucestershire Muslim community.
Its screening prompted heartfelt discussion and conversations that continued long after the formal programme concluded, underlining the importance of storytelling as a catalyst for change.
The importance of consistency and presence
Dr Linda Greening, Head of Inclusivity at Hartpury University and College, introduced the wider context of the project. She reflected on Hartpury’s history of hosting previous screenings and delivering bespoke outreach sessions for young people linked to St James City Farm and the Friendship Café.
These earlier engagements laid the groundwork for deeper partnership, demonstrating the importance of consistency and presence in building trust. A particularly poignant moment came when Imran Atcha, who played a pioneering role in establishing the partnership between St James City Farm and Hartpury, received warm recognition for his foundational work in building bridges between communities and institutions.
His contribution highlights a crucial lesson for universities seeking meaningful collaboration: relationships often begin with individuals willing to invest time, listen, and act with integrity.
Student perspectives and impact
Postgraduate students Sanaa Vahed and Aatiqah Patel shared the personal journeys that led them to enrol on Hartpury University’s MRes Sport and Exercise Science and to engage with Reflective Futures.
Their contributions illustrated another core benefit of university-community collaboration: the development of future researchers equipped not only with methodological rigour but also with cultural awareness, empathy, and a commitment to co-production. For students, involvement in Reflective Futures offers an applied research experience that extends far beyond traditional academic boundaries. They are learning to navigate complex ethical landscapes, communicate findings accessibly, and work alongside communities.
In doing so, they are developing the skills increasingly required across health, policy, and third-sector environments.
Reflections from project leaders
Dr Greening reflected: “The Reflective Futures project evidences growing trust and mutual respect between Hartpury University and organisations that now include The Ruh Collective as a formal partner in this research. The students who enrolled to undertake the project should be incredibly proud of their contributions, and I look forward to working with them in a supervisory role to create meaningful and actionable insights for the community. Hartpury was incredibly proud to be invited to host the premiere of the fourth film in the series, especially during our Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Celebration Month.”
Ismail Kholwadia, Founder of Unreflected Reflections and Co-Founder of The Ruh Collective, emphasised the value of institutional support: “It was an incredible event, engaging presentations, heartfelt personal stories, and meaningful conversations that continued long after we finished. Hartpury University and The Ruh Collective clearly left a lasting impression; someone even asked if they could do their PhD at Hartpury. The wrap-around support, catering, and dedication from everyone involved were faultless. Stories are powerful, and short films remain one of the most impactful ways to communicate this work.”
His comment about someone asking about PhD study captures a further dimension of impact. When community members begin to see the university as accessible, welcoming, and relevant to their aspirations, the relationship shifts.
Higher education becomes not only a research partner but a pathway.
A model for the future
While rooted locally in Gloucestershire, the ambition of Reflective Futures and The Ruh Collective is broader. The partnership aims to develop a model of participatory, culturally responsive research that other institutions can learn from and adapt.
In an era where universities are increasingly asked to demonstrate civic impact and social value, this collaboration provides a compelling example of what that can look like in practice.
The benefits are multi-layered. Communities gain a platform for their stories, greater visibility, and research that responds directly to their priorities. Students gain experiential learning, professional networks, and the opportunity to conduct research with real-world relevance.
The university strengthens its civic identity, builds trust, and develops research that is both academically robust and socially meaningful.
Lasting impact through partnership
What began as a collaborative conversation has evolved into a formal movement and research partnership with clear purpose. Through shared leadership, storytelling, and co-produced inquiry, Hartpury University and The Ruh Collective are working together to strengthen health, wellbeing, and opportunity for the Gloucestershire Muslim community and beyond.
For GuildHE members and the wider sector, the message is clear: when universities commit to long-term, values-driven collaboration with communities, the outcomes extend far beyond a single event. They build trust, inspire students, enrich research, and create lasting social impact.