Dr Rachael Thorneloe and Dr Helen Humphreys are co-leading a large Behavioural Insights project for Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. The project involves working with local residents and professional stakeholders to understand the barriers and facilitators for various health behaviours amongst specific target population groups and then co-designing and testing behavioural science-informed interventions to address those identified barriers.
Dr Thorneloe and Dr Humphreys are leading a team of CeBSAP researchers to provide insight into seven health behaviours across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including Alcohol Consumption, Childhood Vaccinations, Diet, NHS Health Checks, Physical Activity, Smoking in adults, and Vaping in Young People. This 2-year programme of research is informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel and involves:
- Understanding the barriers and facilitators for seven health behaviours using a range of methodologies (rapid evidence reviews, surveys, qualitative research) informed by the COM-B model.
- Workshops with local residents and professional stakeholders to co-design intervention recommendations that have the potential to address those identified needs.
- Proof-of-concept testing a selection of those co-designed intervention recommendations.
Alongside these research activities, the CeBSAP team supports the local community by delivering research and career talks in local schools and providing work placement opportunities for local Cambridgeshire and Peterborough students to help them gain insight and develop skills and knowledge in the behavioural science sector.
