Traverse research announced as finalist for MRS Operations Award

Research by Traverse and Leeds Beckett University exploring the importance of resilient communities in supporting people and their mental health has been shortlisted for an MRS Operations Award - also known as the MRS Oppies. 

The qualitiative research project 'Together Through Tough Times' was commissioned by Co-op in partnership with mental health charities Mind, SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health), and Inspire identified four main themes that appeared to be that helped these communities to be more mentally resilient

Read about the project. 

As a finalist in the Best Data Collection – Interviewer administered award category, the awards recognise the invaluable contributions that keep the sector running. 

Tim Bidey, our Research Director who led the 'Together Through Tough Times' project for Traverse, said: 

"I'm delighted this impactful and pertinent Covid-19 pandemic recovery focused project has been recognised as a finalist for an MRS Oppie. With the timing of the work coinciding with recurring local and national lockdowns, we were required to pivot our fieldwork from in-person to online and quickly rethink our approach to make sure we continued to put lived experience remained at the heart of the work."

Commenting in support of the nomination, our client said: 

"Traverse were commissioned to design and deliver a complex and sensitive piece of qualitative, ethnographic research across four nations for the Co-op charity partnership – just as the pandemic unfolded.

"They were so proactive and creative in finding ways to still get meaningful high quality data without intruding upon or compromising the welfare of the local organisations and community members they were making contact with at a difficult time.

"They were pragmatic, proportionate and professional, always thinking ‘outside the box’ when it came to alternative methods and recruitment options, but not at the expense of ethical considerations or closing-the-loop with participants.

"I was so impressed by what they managed to deliver, considering the environment and the seemingly insurmountable challenges they were up against!"

- Erin Mee, Evaluation and Performance Manager, Mind

For more information about qualitative research, please contact Tim Bidey, Research Director.