Evidence-Based Research Reducing Health Inequalities
We have built up a portfolio of organisations, local authorities, Public Health teams, NHS, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), locality partnerships, voluntary sector, community groups etc, to provide a range of programmes helping to reduce health inequalities in communities.
We adopt a rights-based approach - to hear, listen to, and facilitate acting upon - the voices and opinions we engage with. We are members of the Market Research Society and affiliated with a research company Insight Now.
Our Commitment
- Rights-based approach
- Market Research Society members
- Affiliated with Insight Now
Comprehensive Research & Engagement Services
Research & Engagement Methods
We deliver inclusive, accessible research and engagement programmes tailored to your community's needs.
- Surveys: Developing and implementing bespoke research and engagement surveys. We are affiliated with a Research Company who provide the bespoke research software, data analysis and data security and protection.
- Focus Groups: Delivering online and face-to-face inclusive focus groups.
- One to One Interviews: Delivering online, face-to-face and telephone engagement interviews.
- Community Groups: Organising and running engagement groups with seldom heard / hard to reach communities.
- Workshops: Delivering networking and engagement workshops, with communities, professionals and organisations.
- Events: Organising and attending local events to promote research and engagement opportunities.
Evidence & Analysis
We transform research findings into actionable insights and practical recommendations.
- Reports: Creating and presenting comprehensive visual and statistical reports.
- Data Analysis: Providing high quality visual analysis and evaluations.
- Recommendations: Providing statistical evidence-led practical recommendations and findings.
- Needs Assessments: Conducting comprehensive analysis and review of local services and local need.
- Service Reviews: Examining if services / programmes are meeting the needs of the local communities.
Research & Engagement Examples
Evidence-based projects delivering meaningful outcomes for communities across the UK.
Children and Young People's Mental Health Needs Assessment
Timeline: March - July 2025
Requirements
- Review evidence and analysis on current mental health provision for children & young people
- Conduct research and engagement with key audiences, e.g. Children & Young People, Parents / Carers, and professionals
- Propose recommendations to strengthen delivery
What We Delivered
- 11x focus groups (mix of face to face and online) plus 11x one to one interviews with young people experiencing mental health
- Engagement with over 85 parents / carers including parents / carers of young people experiencing mental health
- Engagement with over 150 professionals working with children and young people
- Comprehensive report and presentations to key stakeholders including visual data analysis, key themes, key findings, services working well, challenges and recommendations
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Research into the Use of Film and Media in Supporting Delivery of RSE
Timeline: November 2024 - July 2025
Requirements
- Examine and gather young people's views and opinions on RSE, the importance of RSE what pressures they feel, what RSE they receive
- Find out where they get their information on relationships and sex
- Investigate their film / TV viewing behaviours, what sort of shows they watch
- Explore their views and opinions of relationships, sex and young people in films and TV shows
Outcomes
- Over 700 participants took part in research and engagement consultations
- Comprehensive report detailing key themes, key findings, statistical data analysis, summaries and recommendations
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Community Immunisations Research and Engagement Programme
Timeline: January - March 2024
Requirements
To conduct meaningful research and engagement with seldom heard communities in West Birmingham to understand views and opinions around childhood Immunisations and accessing healthcare.
Outcomes
- A total of 32 different community engagement consultations and events were carried out over period of 11th March and 18th April 2024 with 214 participants
- 234 surveys were completed and analysis provided
- Provided a comprehensive research and engagement report into the barriers / concerns communities have around childhood immunisations, key findings, key themes, and recommendations
Review and Evaluation of People and Skills Programme
Timeline: March - May 2024
Requirements
A research project to understand the challenges and reasons why people are unable to access employment or work opportunities in the local area. Exploring the top concerns including health, looking after family / home, employment provision in the area, language, etc.
Outcomes
- A total of 88 different research and engagement consultations between March and May 2024
- Over 600 local participants completing surveys
- Provided a comprehensive report and presentation with key themes, e.g. transport problems, discrimination, emotional wellbeing and mental health, being some of the reasons why people are unable to access employment or work opportunities
- Delivered key findings, in depth data analysis and recommendations
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Independent Review of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
Timeline: June - September 2023
Requirements
- Support the review of current contraception and sexual health services
- Gather information, views and opinions from the current service provider, current service users, potential service users and stakeholders
- Opportunities to improve the current service, e.g., better use of technology, more focus on prevention
- Service users' experience of contraception and sexual health services and what is felt is needed to make continuous improvements to those services in the future
Outcomes
- Two insight surveys (professionals and service users / general public) providing a wealth of insight and evidence with 570+ responses
- 80+ consultations with a wide range of professionals, service users and general public, including focus groups, one to one interviews (both online & face to face), attending team meetings, delivering workshops, attending events, site visits
- Provided a comprehensive 80+ page final report with key findings, evidence, data, recommendations for the sexual health provision
- Delivered within a 3-month period, July-Sept (including the Summer holidays)
Independent Review of the Wellbeing Support Programme
Timeline: June 2023 - January 2024
Requirements
To gain an understanding of the impact of the delivery of the Wellbeing Project across the county by providing an external comprehensive evaluation within a defined timescale.
Outcomes
- Comprehensive insight and review report of the Wellbeing Programme
- During the review a total of 52 separate different research and engagement consultations
- Over 250 participants took part in the consultation
Evaluation of the Relationships and Sex Education Award
Timeline: September 2021 - December 2024
Requirements
To provide continuous evaluation and review the implementation and impact of the Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) Award programme designed to bring about and demonstrate excellence in RSE teaching within schools over a three-year period.
Outcomes
- Multi methodology approach to evaluating the impact of the award
- Evaluations accessible via an online resources portal
- Over 100 schools engaged in the evaluation processes, over 100 professionals completing the baseline and progress survey, with nearly 1000 professionals taking part in the staff confidence survey
- Over 4000 pupils took part in the RSE survey
- Presentation of Interim reports at quarterly progress meetings, covering school progress through Award processes, key evaluation findings to date, strengths and weaknesses of the programme
- Final report provided an in-depth assessment into the 3-year impact of the Award
Transforming Lives Through Evidence-Based Programmes
YPEC delivers impactful projects across the UK, focusing on public health, community research, and youth education. Our evidence-based approach ensures meaningful outcomes for the communities we serve.
Best Start in Life Program
YPEC have been commissioned by Ladywood and Perry Barr locality partnership to deliver the best start in life (BSiL) program, focusing on reducing maternal poor health and higher infant mortality.
Programme Impact
Birmingham currently has higher than average rates of infant mortality. This programme is part of a wider strategy to address this public health concern.
Health Hacks Objectives
- Transform life chances of mothers and fathers-to-be and their future children
- Educate and inspire young people with essential information for the 'Best Start in Life'
- Develop student leaders in school and local community settings
- Address statutory Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) subjects
Seldom Heard Conversations Around Pregnancy
InsightNow and YPEC CIC were commissioned by Birmingham Public Health to conduct research providing analysis and evidence for the Infant Mortality Strategy development.
Research Background
There is concern that infant mortality rates will remain high whereas in other areas this is beginning to change. Birmingham has particular circumstances that have led Public Health to develop a new approach to working with communities.
Seldom Heard Community Research Training
YPEC recruited and trained women from targeted communities to acquire qualitative research skills and act as community liaisons.
Training Objectives
- Acquire knowledge, skills and abilities for qualitative research and conversation engagement
- Enable and facilitate conversations with women within their community
- Act as a link between BCC Commissioner and their community from which they live
- Engage with public services to share community views and facilitate two-way conversation
Fast Track Cities
YPEC were commissioned as a third party on the fast track cities project to ensure availability and access to effective testing and treatment for Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs).
Vision 2030
Support Birmingham's ambition to have zero new transmissions by 2030 covering HIV, Hep B, Hep C and Tuberculosis (TB). Strengthen communities and ensure timely provision of services without prejudice and stigma.
Key Objectives
- Better understand needs of people living with or impacted by HIV, TB, and hepatitis
- Identify Birmingham population needs for HIV, Hep B, Hep C and TB
- Consider needs across the care continuum from pre-exposure to treatment
- Understand current testing and treatment pathways
- Identify prevention activities required for Fast-Track Cities vision
- Support effective, targeted public health interventions
- Understand interconnections between Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull services
Derbyshire RSE Award Review
YPEC were commissioned to review the current RSE reward structure within Derbyshire education system to ensure it meets contemporary standards and effectively supports student development.
Croydon Children's and Young People's Survey
YPEC commissioned by Croydon Council to gain greater understanding of children and young people's views on health and wellbeing topics using comprehensive surveys and focus groups.
Research Methodology
The project employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys with qualitative focus group discussions to capture the full spectrum of young people's experiences and opinions on health and wellbeing matters.
The Vacc-Immune Project
YPEC commissioned by Birmingham Public Health to raise awareness of various vaccinations and deliver training to the community following decreased uptake during the pandemic.
Project Context
Birmingham has generally witnessed lower than average vaccination uptake across England, with the Covid-19 pandemic further decreasing these levels. Vaccination continues to be important for safer behaviours, especially following the Commonwealth Games.
Community Engagement Strategies
- Face-to-face community engagement to increase understanding of immunisation benefits
- Counter misinformation and disinformation through evidence-based communication
- Restore public confidence in health and public services
- Community Vaccination Awareness Training for healthcare professionals and community leaders
Childhood Immunisations
YPEC, on behalf of Ladywood and Perry Barr locality partnership, conducted comprehensive research to understand barriers to accessing childhood immunisations and develop community-centered solutions.
Community Engagement Approach
We organize and carry out health and listening events with communities and their local GPs to provide accurate information on childhood immunisations, address concerns, and build trust between healthcare providers and families.
