Study Areas

The research was organised into work streams for each of the study populations. Some participants fell into more than one group, and we also explored intersectional experiences (read more in the project report and in the Findings section of the website).

Click the links below to jump to information about each of the groups:

 

Disabilities and long-term health conditions

Before lockdown, many disabled people experienced a number of barriers in their day to day lives due to inaccessible environments, poor information access, disabling attitudes and limited resources to enable them to live full lives.

Disabled people’s organisations have shown that many of the barriers facing disabled people have increased during lockdown: inaccessible information, digital exclusion, social isolation and further cuts to social care. For many disabled people and those with long term health conditions this has been a difficult time, with difficulties in accessing health and social care, following social distancing and following government guidance to ‘shield’.

We gathered perspectives of disabled people and those with long term health conditions to understand experiences and consider ways to ensure these groups can have full independent lives. The project report analyses 45 interviews (40 from the disabled community and 5 staff in support services). In addition, the study conducted an organisational survey that included those working in disability and health organisations.

The team leads and contacts for this area are: Dr Nicky Burns and Dr Philippa Wiseman.

In addition, a ‘boost’ sample of people living with diabetes was overseen by Dr Chris Bunn who is conducting a specific analysis of this group’s experiences.

Domestic abuse and sexual violence victim-survivors

For those who experience domestic abuse or sexual violence, the measures introduced to limit the spread of Covid-19 also compounded risks, anxieties and issues that survivors face. Access to vital support agencies and safe community spaces stopped, and civil and criminal justice processes were significantly delayed. Key agencies including support organisations, the police, prosecutors, health and housing had to find new ways of providing services while ensuring the safety and well-being of their own staff and those they seek to protect.

The project report analyses 20 interviews (12 survivors and 18 staff in support services) and also includes analysis of an organisational survey that offers further input from numerous people working in support organisations.

The team leads and contacts for this area are: Prof. Michele Burman and Dr Oona Brooks Hay.

Imprisonment and criminal justice supervision

Those in prison are already isolated from society, and management of Covid-19 risk has led to further cut-offs from family visits and other activities. Those under community supervision may experience reduced support or face increased exposure complying with licence conditions such as using public transport to meet with social workers.

We are gathered the perspectives of those in prison or recently released, those under community supervision and family members and friends of imprisoned people. Data comes from a survey of people serving prison sentences during lockdown (86); interviews of recently released or on licence during lockdown or under community justice supervision (15), and those with a family member in prison (6) as well as staff in organisations supporting these groups (11). We also directly solicited and through a study partner gained access to numerous letters from those in prison during Covid. Finally, the organisational survey includes perspectives of those working in criminal justice.

The team leads and contacts for this area are: Dr Marguerite Schinkel and Dr Caitlin Gormley.

Refugees, asylum seekers and destitution-facing populations

For people in the asylum process, refugees and people who have been made destitute with no recourse to public funds, third sector and community groups provide a lifeline, offering a wide range of essential information and support services and safe community spaces that are directly impacted by social distancing measures and emergency responses. The shutdown of essential face-to-face services and supports and switch to online provision worsened the inequalities this vulnerablised group already faces. 

We analysed data from 27 interviews with people at different stages of the asylum process or with refugee status, plus 3 staff interviews from service support groups. Participants came from 14 different countries around the world. As above, the organisational survey we conducted provided additional data from people working in support organisations in this area.

The team leads and contacts for this area are: Dr Gareth Mulvey and Dr Teresa Piacentini.

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