Coffee, carrot cake and the best kind of coincidence – my DECIPHer internship

Sarah Cawley is a final year Psychology student at Cardiff University.

Sometimes, the best summers start in the most unexpected ways. Mine started with coffee and carrot cake. 

At the Wolfson Centre celebration event during my previous year-long placement, there was the usual break where everyone drifted into little groups. In the past, I’d sit with my friends in the corner, staying with the people I felt familiar with. I’m not sure what was in the air but I decided to step out of my comfort zone and go and chat to someone new. I scanned the room, spotted the smiliest, friendliest-looking person there and introduced myself. We ended up having the best discussion over coffee and carrot cake before realising the session was due to commence and we’d better stop chatting! It wasn’t until I got back to my desk later that afternoon that I matched the face to a name. The person I’d been chatting to was Kelly Morgan – my supervisor for the DECIPHer summer internship I’d recently applied for. Looking back, it still makes me smile that my first conversation with DECIPHer happened before I’d even realised it.

‘My mind came alive understanding how all the different wider influences contribute to health inequalities widening.’

As a Psychology undergraduate at Cardiff University, I’ve always been drawn towards clinical psychology, although over the last year I’ve found myself becoming increasingly interested in public health and the idea of improving health on a much wider scale. My year placement with the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health focused on a CBT randomised controlled trial. This was an invaluable experience and also the first to get me thinking on a wider scale. Yes, this trial was a powerful step forwards for depression prevention but sometimes I found it frustrating as many participants’ mental health was clearly being affected by the wider systems around them. What if I could do something about this? What if I could be part of something actively reshaping all aspects of the ecological system to better people’s lives?

Here enters my summer internship at DECIPHer. Based on the Food and Fun programme, my internship provided my first flavour of tackling problems not just at the ‘individual’ level that Clinical Psychology tends to focus on. Here, my mind came alive understanding how all the different wider influences contribute to health inequalities widening over the summer holidays. The Food and Fun Programme runs across Wales, providing nutrition education, quality food and physical activity opportunities over this summer period. Crucially, it helps support families when they need it most. My role was to research this, assisting Caitlin Jackson with her PhD.

‘I have moved forward from this role with a breadth of transferable skills setting me up for a strong start within the field of public health.’

Although this placement was only two months long, every week brought something completely different. From contributing to a ripple effect mapping project, ethics application and interviews across Wales, I have moved forward from this role with a breadth of transferable skills setting me up for a strong start within the field of public health. DECIPHer also generously invested in my learning through an invitation to participate in their short course programme. Each week, attending these applied research method sessions strengthened my confidence further and equipped me with competence in an array of skills invaluable for a career in public health.

One of the things that stood out to me most at DECIPHer, though, wasn’t just a certain day or skill learned – it was the culture. No matter whether you’re another intern or senior member, everyone is immediately approachable. The centre even hosted a lunch to introduce the placement students, an added touch that helped everyone connect. Moreover, I found it really special how well all the interns clicked immediately. By the end of week one, we’d already created our own social calendar outside of work which ranged from hot yoga to go-karting! Spending my summer at DECIPHer really was a privilege and I feel lucky to walk away with such incredible personal and professional connections.

So what’s next? I’m in my final year of Cardiff’s BSc Psychology Course. Whilst still exploring future career options, DECIPHer really opened my eyes to the possibilities within public health and helped me realise where I shine. Whatever direction life takes me, I’ve left this project with a new-found passion and the confidence to make a difference.