The aim of HDRC Cornwall is to support and embed research and research skills in Cornwall. We are working on many projects to support this aim. Below are the projects we are working on split into categories:
- Already complete
- Currently active projects
- Projects that are being scoped for potential future development
- Projects that are on pause
If you would like more information about any of these projects email at us hdrc@cornwall.gov.uk.
Completed projects
Council tax
A collaborative project with Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) and Citizens Advice Cornwall. This demonstrator project looked at:
- who is being most affected by Council Tax debt in Cornwall.
- What are the experiences of people affected by Council Tax debt?
- What recommendations come from this data and from wider literature?
Falls prevention technology DISC (Digitising Social Care)
An assessment of the use of falls prevention technology in care homes. The project assessed the impact on ambulance call-outs and hospital admissions.
Swimming for Health
Provided support to a staff member evaluating a newly revised programme. The evaluation aimed to understand the implementation and short-term impacts of the programme. It also informed recommendations for future delivery. This support aimed to strengthen evaluation capacity. It improved learning and contributed to workforce development through upskilling.
Flourish
HDRC Cornwall worked with the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW). The aim was to recruit and train young peer researchers to explore
- understanding
- and accessibility
of the ‘Green Economy’ in Cornwall. Data collected by peer researchers contributed to the creation of an app. This app gave access to green jobs and training. A launch event at Cornwall Council led by IFOW had the peer researchers presenting their findings.
Motivating Futures (IFOW)
Exploratory work between Cornwall Council and IFOW to pilot their Motivating Futures programme. This looked at unlocking intrinsic motivation in secondary school pupils.
Risk of NEET Indicator (RONI) tool
Development of a predictive tool to identify those pupils most at risk of becoming NEET. (Not in education, employment or training).
Active projects
Children in a refuge
Community Small Grant (CSG) funded photovoice project. This looks at the experiences of children living in a refuge from domestic violence. We are seeking further collaboration / partnership / research in this space.
Youth Futures Foundation Randomised Controlled Trial of YEP! (Vocational Skills Training)
A collaboration between:
- Youth Futures Foundation
- Cordis Bright
- Cornwall Council
- and HDRC Cornwall
on a Randomised Controlled Trial of YEP! (Youth Engagement Programme). This offers employment support and vocational training.
Healthier weight strategy evaluation / demonstrator project
Supporting evidence generation and evaluation for the 10 year Healthier Weight Strategy. This will involve many strands of work to assess the
- implementation
- outcomes
- and impacts
of a range of programmes and interventions.
Childhood poverty Public Health annual report – themes into practice
Cornwall’s Public Health team release an annual report focussed on child poverty. This recommended that HDRC Cornwall support and promote research in this space. One example is our partnership with King’s College London on their study of unconditional cash transfers. (See below for more details).
Complex needs target 40
Supporting the evaluation of the My Team Around Me programme. The aim is to understand implementation, outcomes and opportunities for improving service coordination.
Infant rights evaluation
Supporting the holistic evaluation of the council and the wider system's approach to infant rights.
Buvidal
Contributed to the evaluation of a pilot of Buvidal. This is an opioid substitution treatment delivered in community settings. The project included providing qualitative and quantitative research support. This led to involvement in a published journal article on the quantitative evidence. There is also a qualitative paper currently being prepared. It is planned to extend the work through more evaluation. The project has also strengthened the HDRC’s relationships across many council services.
Social Value Engine pilot
Piloting approaches to
- quantify
- and evidence
the social value generated through community and public sector interventions.
TEC Strategy
Supporting relationships between
- academic partners
- and local authority staff
commissioning Technology Enabled Care (TEC).
An evidence review undertaken by academic partners informed Cornwall Council’s TEC Strategy. It represents a strong example of evidence implementation and knowledge mobilisation. This work has led to increased research interest within the team and the development of other research projects. It has also contributed to fostering a positive research culture and evidence-led practice.
Work and health bid
Partnership led by HDRC Plymouth with
- HDRC Cornwall
- HDRC Lambeth
- and HDRC Medway
using a peer research method. The aim is to explore links between work and health, and the impact of supported employment initiatives on various groups. Plymouth is focusing on adults with complex needs. Cornwall is looking at young people in a rural coastal setting. Lambeth is focussing on young people with SEND. Finally Medway is looking at adults with substance misuse issues.
NEETs photovoice
A project with Falmouth University and CELT MAT. (Cornwall Education Trust multi-agency academy). The work explores the impact of participatory photography. Can it help 12-14 year old's identify education and training needs for future employment?
The project will run workshops with children identified as being ‘at risk of NEET’ (Not in Education, Employment or Training). The sessions cover an introduction to photography, photo stories and digital story telling. Review sessions will allow children to give narrative to their photo stories and share their journey.
Findings and dissemination will take place in Autumn Term 2026
Period poverty and mental distress
Support for the evaluation of a pilot on period poverty and mental distress. The evaluation focused on the work's implementation and fidelity.
Health protection – flu vaccination for 2-3 year olds pilot study
Evaluating a pilot project to improve flu vaccination uptake among 2–3 year olds. The project also aimed to identify barriers to participation.
Tenancy support programme for an at-risk cohort experiencing homelessness
Evaluating a tenancy support programme aimed at
- improving housing stability
- and preventing homelessness
among high-risk residents.
Smoking cessation in under-served groups
Exploring approaches to improve stop smoking support. Particularly on improving outcomes in under-served and disadvantaged populations.
Unconditional cash transfers
HDRC Cornwall partnership with King’s College London and Anna Freud. This work assesses impact of unconditional cash transfers for families with children under
- ‘child protection’
- or ‘children in need’.
This is a large national randomised controlled trial. It aligns with other work on cash transfers and impact on social issues.
Armed Forces Veterans Social prescribing
Analysis of responses from workshops held with serving and retired service personnel. The workshops focused on health and moving to civilian life.
Suicide and ethnicity
Assessment of suicide data for Cornwall. This looks at
- gender
- age
- ethnicity
- and Indicies of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) distributions
to help identify those most at risk.
Not in School (University of Bristol)
HDRC Cornwall is on a Stakeholder Panel for an NIHR funded project looking at young people out of school. It is investigating reasons for disengagement and/or Elective Home Education (EHE).
Projects currently being scoped for potential development
Barriers to accessing Blue and Green spaces
Development of a research proposal to look into barriers to engaging with green and blue spaces. The aim to see how this shapes wellbeing outcomes in deprived rural and coastal communities.
University College London / Research Delivery Network SHINE Study
Connecting Cornish schools and education networks to a national study looking at:
- happiness
- self image
- and nutrition
and the National Child Measurement Program study.
SW Secure Data Environment pilot
Exploring the feasibility of securely linking Council and health datasets. The aim is allow faster, more robust research and evaluation while reducing data sharing barriers.
Improving Council metadata
Developing approaches to improve the
- consistency
- quality
- and discoverability
of Council data and information assets to support evidence-informed decision-making.
Housing stock heat pump readiness / energy efficiency
Working with social housing providers to assess housing stock suitability for heat pumps. The aim is to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty.
Mental health service access feedback
Gathering and analysing resident feedback on access to mental health services. This will help identify barriers, inequalities and opportunities for service improvement.
Accelerated ADHD / ASD diagnosis and medication pathways for ex-offenders
Exploring how to improve ADHD and autism assessment and treatment for ex-offenders.
Mental health community and recovery service
Supporting the evaluation and development of a community-based mental health recovery service. Delivered with voluntary and community sector partners and funded through Adult Social Care.
Domestic violence against women and girls
Supporting evidence and evaluation work to better understand
- need
- service effectiveness
- and prevention approaches
relating to violence against women and girls.
Air quality
Supporting research and evidence development on local air quality. Looking at its impacts on health, wellbeing and inequalities.
Humanitas – Intergenerational living
Exploring the potential health, wellbeing and social impacts of intergenerational living models. Inspired by the Humanitas approach.
NIHR School Readiness
Emerging collaboration between council officers in
- early years
- clinical psychology
- health visiting
- and Best Start in Life
with University of Exeter academics across
- early years education
- psychology
- and medicine
to explore interventions to improve school readiness and Good Levels of Development (GLD).
NIHR – Systematic Review of Mental Health Literacy programmes
NIHR – Systematic Review of Mental Health Literacy programmes.
Paused projects
The following projects are either on pause or unable to proceed.
Year 12 placements
Planned support of placements for year 12 students from disadvantaged backgrounds at universities.
VapeAnon Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team (PHIRST) application
Supporting the development of a PHIRST funding application. The aim was to evaluate VapeAnon and its role in smoking and vaping behaviour change.
Community Risk Management Plan - fire
Supporting evidence and evaluation activity to inform the Community Risk Management Plan. The aim was to strengthen understanding of fire risk and prevention priorities.