Barnwood Trust has recently commissioned Qa Research to undertake a study of wellbeing in the county. It is keen to explore whether – and if so, how – the wellbeing of the general population differs to people living with disabilities and mental health challenges. Part of this research involves undertaking a large scale survey with residents (both disabled and non-disabled) in Gloucestershire.
The survey will cover various aspects of wellbeing, for example:
- Satisfaction with housing;
- Views on local community;
- Social networks and relationships;
- Income and employment opportunities; and
- Aspects of mental wellbeing.
The Trust will also use the survey as a means of exploring attitudes towards disability among the general population.
We are keen to ensure as many people as possible are given the opportunity to participate in the survey, particularly individuals living with disabilities and mental health challenges. The Trust would therefore be grateful if you could help promote this work through your networks, whether to members, participants, colleagues, stakeholders, or other individuals in the county with whom you are engaged. And of course, we would also encourage you to take part in the survey yourselves, should you wish to.
The data generated from this study will be made available, publicly, and we hope provide a valuable resource for organisations and individuals working across Gloucestershire. It has been designed to generate comparable data to existing national research, for example: ONS Opinions Survey; Mental Wellbeing (WEMWBs); British Social Attitudes Survey; Citizenship Survey; to name a few. It is also intended that this research will form a baseline, against which follow-up studies can be measured in future years.
There are numerous ways to take part in the survey, including:
• Via an online survey – a link to the online version of the survey can be found here:
http://surveys.qaresearch.co.uk/GloucestershireWellbeing11.asp
Please feel free to pass this link on through your networks.
• Via a postal survey – we can send you survey packs for you to distribute directly to interested individuals. The survey packs include copies of the questionnaire in addition to a freepost envelope in which people can return the questionnaire.
• Over the phone – We can arrange appointments to speak with people over the phone at a time most convenient to them.
If you would be willing to participate in or support the research via any of the methods outlined above, please contact Qa Research at wellbeing.research@qaresearch.co.uk or by phoning Qa’s Freephone number (0800 980 9030) between the hours of 1 and 3pm. Please also feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in participating or able to help.
Should you wish to take part but feel that an alternative method would be more appropriate (for example, a discussion group or face to face interview), we would be happy to have a discussion about how we might be able to accommodate this and/or support you to participate. Please call or email us using the details above.
If you would like to learn more about Barnwood Trust’s research programme, please contact their Research Manager – Clare Fletcher – on clare.fletcher@barnwoodtrust.org