5th September 2025
Hi all,
How does ACT gather information to tell impactful rural stories? We ask you!
Recently, for example, you helped us with our Rural Issues Survey, shaping ACT's work so that it continues to support your priorities in the future. At ACT we are often approached by research bodies who want to collect your views. It is not often we agree to these, usually because they are not relevant, not about community and/or don't support the sustainability of rural communities.
However, we have received three requests which are relevant to the work we do and therefore we are encouraging you to offer your contribution. :contentReference[oaicite:0]
1. Care and Care Giving in Rural Areas
The London School of Economics are running research interviews about how people who are 65 years and older receive support in their community.
The aim of this research is to inform future policy on meeting care needs in rural communities and to understand how communities support care needs informally.
They need up to 20 people who feel they are being cared for in their community, or feel they need more care in their community.
The researchers will come to you, at a time that suits you, to speak with you about your experiences. Each interviewee will receive £40.
If you don't want the researcher to come to your home, they could book space at the village hall and a group of you could come for a discussion and then be individually interviewed.
If you are interested, please respond to:
Please include your name, location, phone number and email address. Also let us know whether you are a care giver, care receiver, or both.
ACT will acknowledge your email and pass it on to the researchers. If more than 20 people reply, all contacts will be passed on and the researchers will decide who to contact.
Interviews are due to take place between October and January. :contentReference[oaicite:1]
2. Identity, Race and Belonging in the Lake District
Hi, my name is Kofi Broadhurst. I was born in and have grown up in the Lakes area and am currently completing a PhD in Sociology at the University of Cambridge.
My research is looking at identity, race and belonging in rural England, with a specific focus on the Lake District.
I am currently looking for participants to help with my research and would be very grateful if you were interested in taking part.
I am conducting interviews with anyone over the age of 18 who identifies as 'local' to the Lake District. Interviews will last between 60 and 90 minutes and will cover a range of questions relating to identity, belonging and race in the local area. :contentReference[oaicite:2]
If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please get in touch.
You can complete the project's expression of interest form and, if you have any questions before proceeding, contact:
More information about the project and researcher is available through the University of Cambridge. :contentReference[oaicite:3]
3. Reducing Carbon in your Lake District Building
Hello!
If you rent or own buildings in the Lake District National Park, would you be willing to complete a 10-minute online research survey about finding information on reducing carbon emissions from your building?
Energy used in buildings is responsible for a considerable proportion of the UK's carbon emissions. However, it can sometimes be difficult for building owners and users to find information and advice about changes they can make to reduce carbon emissions. This is often especially true for older and traditional buildings, of which there are many in the Lake District. :contentReference[oaicite:4]
A project by the University of the West of England, in partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority, is researching the challenges people face when trying to access information about reducing carbon emissions from buildings.
The findings will help inform future solutions and support. The survey is anonymous and forms the first stage of the project.
For full details of the study and to decide whether you would like to participate, please complete the online survey.
Many thanks,
Dr Freya Wise
ESRC Fellow
Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research
University of the West of England. :contentReference[oaicite:5]
These three opportunities will contribute to better policy making, stronger communities and a deeper understanding of the issues affecting rural residents across Cumbria and the Lake District. ACT is pleased to support research that helps ensure rural voices are heard and reflected in future decision-making. :contentReference[oaicite:6]
