Talk to Us Campaign

The research.

Here's what we found.

Ahead of conducting primary research with people using the Job Centre, we sought to develop our current understanding by conducting secondary research into the health and wellbeing of welfare claimants. 

Existing research told us that individuals suffering from mental ill-health did not feel confident with the quality of support they received from their local JobCentre Plus and this led to a vicious cycle where individuals held negative perceptions of JobCentre Plus staff, impacting on their relationship with advisors and exacerbated poor mental health.

Working with local mental health services, we facilitated two focus groups with benefit claimants and conducted two surveys - one with benefit claimants and one with service staff. 

Following this, we analysed the data and pulled together an insight pack for Middlesbrough Council to help them tackle this issue and provide stakeholders and partners with testimonials and first-hand experience of people using the system.  We then interpreted the findings into themes and proposed recommendations for change and action. These ranged from improvements to communications and service re-design/ system change.

We found that individuals accessing welfare support held deep-rooted myths and perceptions that acted as a barrier for them in accessing employment support. For example, claimants strongly felt that any mental ill-health would act as a barrier to them gaining employment.