People & Work is a not-for-profit company and a registered charity that has operated in the field of education, economic and social research since 1984. It has a voluntary Board of Directors.

People & Work aims to make a real difference to people’s lives through its dual approach of high quality research and evaluation work and innovative action-research projects. It has a strong team of highly qualified and experienced researchers who bring a rigorous and critical eye to bear on all our consultancy work.

Any surplus earned through our research and evaluation contracts goes into our action research work. This work invests heavily in individuals, targeting this investment at those who can make the greatest impact on their community.

People & Work resources

People & Work has a staff of nine and a board of nine trustees. In addition there are several associates who are frequently involved in its work.

In 2014 People & Work celebrated thirty years’ experience of research, evaluation and action research projects.

This work has encompassed:

• Research to inform both our own project work in the field of community regeneration and for external clients; and
• Internal evaluations of both our own work and that of external clients.

People & Work has in-house data analysis tools and expertise and has access to external systems and resources when required.

Our work since 2006 has included:

• Dynamic Communities (2012 – onwards). Learning how to use sport and physical activity as a means of encouraging individuals and families to engage with the development of their own communities. Funded by Comic Relief.
• Families & Schools Together Achieve (2012). Encouraging reception and Year 1 pupils and their families to engage with stories and books in an informal and fun environment. Funded by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.
• Build It Glyncoch (2008 – 2013). A project that developed the earlier Build It working with the Glyncoch Community Partnership to promote apprenticeships in construction trades and capacity building work. Funded by the Rank Foundation.
• School Focused Communities (2009 – 2012). Based in five Communities First partnerships and two secondary schools, this project helped secondary school pupils and their families get the most out of their education through providing support. Funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Communities First Demonstration Fund.
• School Focused Communities (2009 – 2015). A cohort study supporting 45 young people from one community as they progressed through secondary school and into post-16 learning. Based in their community, the project worked with their families and their school. Funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
• Chance to Learn (2008 – 2015). A project based in Glyncoch which aimed to engage the community in learning opportunities, attempting to address the lack of progression to further and higher education following compulsory schooling. Funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

Previous development projects

• Life Support (2003 – 2008). A project providing training in health and capacity building work for local young people looking to enter a career in professional healthcare. Funded by the Oak Foundation, European Union Social Fund and the Rank Foundation.
• Build It (2002 – 2007). A project employing local young people and providing training in construction trades and capacity building work. Funded by the Rank Foundation, the European Union Social Fund and the Coalfields Development Trust.