Revisiting the needs of Sutton Coldfield: change and future requirements

This research is to update the 1993 study, ‘Uncovering Needs in Sutton Coldfield 1993’ – Trends, Problems, and  Possible Solutions and evaluate the needs of Sutton Coldfield residents in key service areas and project future challenges.

Since the initial study in 1993, there have been fundamental changes not only to Sutton Coldfield but also the wider socio-economic context in which welfare and local service provision operates. Primarily the financial crisis of 2008, the following austerity politics - resulting in significant budget restraints across all levels of government - and also demographic changes within Sutton Coldfield itself, have resulted in a very different landscape than 1993 and one that necessitates an updated evaluation of local needs.

At its core, the project will seek to remain true to the intent and purpose of the original study but will build on the study to enhance the level of analysis drawing on new methodological techniques, research expertise and a policy-orientated analysis to map and explore current and future needs within the town.

This research has been funded by the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust (SSCT) and will run from 2019-2021.

Aims and methodology of the research

Aims

  • Determine current levels of need in the town.
  • Investigate existing service provision through a mapping exercise.
  • Draw out future challenges for services in meeting needs of local residents.
  • Identify some key lessons and interventions, which respond to existing and future needs. 

Methodology

The project will seek to replicate elements of the 1993 study to allow for some basis of comparison, as well as broaden this out to develop a much richer data set for the evaluation. The data collection will be structured around four core components and will retain the 13 categories identified in the 1993 report for comparability. 

  • Resident survey. The survey will disseminate 4,000 surveys to service providers and local residents. Whilst service providers will be used to distribute surveys, a random sample of residents in the town will also be identified and sent surveys to ensure that data collection does not bias towards active service users. This will also include an option for participants to indicate if they would be interested in taking part in a follow up interview and/or focus group to broaden the base of potential participants to the study. 
  • Census analysis. As with the 1993 report the project will access census data to conduct the same demographic analysis to map changes in the population of the town over the last (approx.) 25 years. 
  • Interviews. Up to 50 one-to-one interviews will be conducted with residents and service providers. This will be be supplemented by 10 focus groups with local residents. 
  • Service provider mapping. The researchers will make contact with key providers to explore referral processes to map the typical routes into services which residents experience. Such a map will not only provide a visual representation of service provision but can also start to identify where different services are located and assist with the recruitment of participants for the study.  

Impact and outputs 

The Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust has a long history of understanding and addressing the needs of local residents in Sutton Coldfield. Important to this work has been the previous 1993 study in determining what services are available to residents and which need development. Exploring this in the contemporary setting the research and its outputs will be able to:

  1. Through the analysis provide suggestions of specific priority needs to address, potentially identify target areas for support as well as provide policy, funding and service implementation suggestions to inform the work of the SCCT.
  2. Review progress and change since the 1993 study.
  3. Provide an updated evaluation of the needs of local residents.
  4. Provide a more nuanced analysis than the earlier study through the development of multiple methods – importantly considering stigma and social networks/relationships alongside material needs 

For local residents the project will provide an opportunity to inform the evaluation of their needs through a number of different data collection methods. Qualitative elements are designed to enhance their voice whilst quantitative data allows this to be explored more generally across the town. It also places residents at the centre of analysis ensuring their expressed needs inform the development of by subsequent strategies by SCCT. 

The combined research outputs will provide a clear analysis of the current levels of need in Sutton Coldfield, providing a means through which the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust can develop, and support the development of, appropriate services and provisions for the inhabitants of Sutton Coldfield. The key outputs will be: 

  1. Service mapping report 
  2. Conference presentation of mapping and emerging interview findings 
  3. Mid-point project progress report 
  4. Final report for the SCCT and wider community 

Written outputs will provide an accessible format for a range of inhabitants and service providers (alongside the final report and accessible Findings Summary will also be produced). Working with SCCT it will be possible to identify key organisations and residents to invite to the dissemination event to be held at the conclusion of the project. 

Research team

Dr Lee Gregory (PI) 

Dr Laura Bentley Email: l.j.bentley@bham.ac.uk