Folk in and around Lerwick needed for cost of living study

PEOPLE in and around Lerwick are being invited to take part in research on the needs and costs experienced by folk living in rural areas of Scotland.

The project, which is commissioned by the Scottish Government, is now recruiting people from a variety of backgrounds and ages in Lerwick and within a 10-mile radius of the town.

It will involve taking part in an online focus group held on Zoom.

All participants will receive a £50 voucher for Tesco, Co-op or Amazon in return for their time.

Participants do not need to be an ‘expert’ in anything and will not be discussing personal details. Involvement in the project is voluntary and discussions during the focus groups are strictly confidential.

The research initiative is called Minimum Income Standard for Remote and Rural Scotland and it updates similar work which was commissioned in 2012.

The study will be carried out by the Centre for Research is Social Policy (CRSP) team at the University of Loughborough, working alongside two Highland based researchers

The dates for the focus groups are as follows:

• Working age with no dependents: Monday 22 February 18.30-21.30
• Pensioners: Tuesday 23 February 10.00-13.00
• Parents: Thursday 25 February 18.30-21.30

Anyone who is interested in taking part in the study, or who would like more information, should contact Jo Ellen and Amanda Bryan at 07851 969871 or misrrs.recruitment@gmail.com

More details on the research project can be found online.