Background Smoking is extremely common amongst adults experiencing homelessness. To date, there i... more Background Smoking is extremely common amongst adults experiencing homelessness. To date, there is no nationally representative data on how tobacco dependence is treated and if and how smoking cessation is supported across the homeless sector. The aim of this study was to document smoking and e-cigarette policies of UK homeless services and identify areas of good practice and where improvements could be made. Methods A cross-sectional survey with homeless centre staff was conducted between June 2020-December 2020 totalling 99 homeless centres. Quotas were stratified based on population and service type across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England. Interviews were conducted over the phone or online in a minority of cases. Survey questions were themed to assess, i) onsite smoking and e-cigarette (vaping) policies ii) screening and recording of smoking status, iii) cessation training and resources available to staff, iv) cessation support for service users. Results 92% account...
The harmful use of alcohol is the leading risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among ... more The harmful use of alcohol is the leading risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15 to 49-year-olds in the UK. Drinking is linked to over 200 conditions and diseases (including cancer, heart disease, fertility problems, stroke and mental health issues) but public awareness is low; 77% of people are unaware of the link between alcohol and breast cancer. Recent NHS figures show that in 2018 at least 1.3 million people were admitted to hospital with a diagnosis linked to alcohol. The Government’s Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) low-risk drinking guidelines for the UK were updated in 2016 to reflect new evidence on health risks. Our research looked at 424 alcohol containers on shop shelves in October 2019 to see whether labels include this advice, which regular polling shows consumers want. Ahead of the full report (due to be published in Spring 2020) early findings show that: • More than 70% of labels did not include the up-to-date CMO guidelines • Nearly a quarter contai...
When a child or adult goes missing they leave behind them the people in his or her life who love ... more When a child or adult goes missing they leave behind them the people in his or her life who love them, who look after them, who live with them and who they look after. The profound loss of someone who is missing ripples through his or her family members’ lives and can have a profound and devastating impact. This chapter explores the people who are affected, the impacts they experience and the ways in which they may be supported.
The aim of this research has been to describe and account for the differences in attitudes and ap... more The aim of this research has been to describe and account for the differences in attitudes and approaches to the regulation of street prostitution in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The research findings show that significant differences exist and offer an explanation of the reasons for this. The analysis of these findings may feed into policy debate about potential alterations of Scottish legislation on prostitution.
A study on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK
Andrea Simon,... more A study on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK
This research project, jointly conducted by UK charities Missing People and Catch 22, explores th... more This research project, jointly conducted by UK charities Missing People and Catch 22, explores the links between gang involvement and young people going missing. Based on a survey of professionals (police, social services and charities), data from Missing People’s database, interviews and focus groups with professionals, young people and family members, the research explores the nature and extent of the link, and identifies areas of good practice. This paper will outline the key findings, including the common ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors, the current situation in the UK, and recommendations for future research, policy and practice.
This article considers the challenges presented to voluntary sector researchers conducting resear... more This article considers the challenges presented to voluntary sector researchers conducting research directly with people who have a pre-existing relationship with their organisation.
The article is based on the author’s experience of designing and conducting a research project which involved conducting in-depth interviews with a number of family members who had reported someone missing to the national charity Missing People. The research described in this article was designed to examine the impact on families when someone goes missing.
Recommendations provide guidance for researchers planning research with service users.
... Policy The results of research undertaken for the Sustainable Development Commission Stella C... more ... Policy The results of research undertaken for the Sustainable Development Commission Stella Creasy Karin Gavelin Helen Fisher Lucy Holmes Maya Desai September 2007 Page 2. Engage For Change: The Role of Public Engagement in Climate Change Policy Contents ...
The aim of this research has been to describe and account for the differences in attitudes and ap... more The aim of this research has been to describe and account for the differences in attitudes and approaches to the regulation of street prostitution in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The research findings show that significant differences exist and offer an explanation of the reasons for this. The analysis of these findings may feed into policy debate about potential alterations of Scottish legislation on prostitution.
The models described in this article offer a framework within which policy formulation may take place. Despite there being different approaches across Scotland, there is sufficient common ground to suggest successful legislation and policy changes, if care is taken to build on issues of convergence and consensus. This article demonstrates where areas of potential compromise exist, and makes suggestions for policy approaches that will exploit the areas of common opinion.
Background Smoking is extremely common amongst adults experiencing homelessness. To date, there i... more Background Smoking is extremely common amongst adults experiencing homelessness. To date, there is no nationally representative data on how tobacco dependence is treated and if and how smoking cessation is supported across the homeless sector. The aim of this study was to document smoking and e-cigarette policies of UK homeless services and identify areas of good practice and where improvements could be made. Methods A cross-sectional survey with homeless centre staff was conducted between June 2020-December 2020 totalling 99 homeless centres. Quotas were stratified based on population and service type across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England. Interviews were conducted over the phone or online in a minority of cases. Survey questions were themed to assess, i) onsite smoking and e-cigarette (vaping) policies ii) screening and recording of smoking status, iii) cessation training and resources available to staff, iv) cessation support for service users. Results 92% account...
The harmful use of alcohol is the leading risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among ... more The harmful use of alcohol is the leading risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15 to 49-year-olds in the UK. Drinking is linked to over 200 conditions and diseases (including cancer, heart disease, fertility problems, stroke and mental health issues) but public awareness is low; 77% of people are unaware of the link between alcohol and breast cancer. Recent NHS figures show that in 2018 at least 1.3 million people were admitted to hospital with a diagnosis linked to alcohol. The Government’s Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) low-risk drinking guidelines for the UK were updated in 2016 to reflect new evidence on health risks. Our research looked at 424 alcohol containers on shop shelves in October 2019 to see whether labels include this advice, which regular polling shows consumers want. Ahead of the full report (due to be published in Spring 2020) early findings show that: • More than 70% of labels did not include the up-to-date CMO guidelines • Nearly a quarter contai...
When a child or adult goes missing they leave behind them the people in his or her life who love ... more When a child or adult goes missing they leave behind them the people in his or her life who love them, who look after them, who live with them and who they look after. The profound loss of someone who is missing ripples through his or her family members’ lives and can have a profound and devastating impact. This chapter explores the people who are affected, the impacts they experience and the ways in which they may be supported.
The aim of this research has been to describe and account for the differences in attitudes and ap... more The aim of this research has been to describe and account for the differences in attitudes and approaches to the regulation of street prostitution in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The research findings show that significant differences exist and offer an explanation of the reasons for this. The analysis of these findings may feed into policy debate about potential alterations of Scottish legislation on prostitution.
A study on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK
Andrea Simon,... more A study on trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the UK
This research project, jointly conducted by UK charities Missing People and Catch 22, explores th... more This research project, jointly conducted by UK charities Missing People and Catch 22, explores the links between gang involvement and young people going missing. Based on a survey of professionals (police, social services and charities), data from Missing People’s database, interviews and focus groups with professionals, young people and family members, the research explores the nature and extent of the link, and identifies areas of good practice. This paper will outline the key findings, including the common ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors, the current situation in the UK, and recommendations for future research, policy and practice.
This article considers the challenges presented to voluntary sector researchers conducting resear... more This article considers the challenges presented to voluntary sector researchers conducting research directly with people who have a pre-existing relationship with their organisation.
The article is based on the author’s experience of designing and conducting a research project which involved conducting in-depth interviews with a number of family members who had reported someone missing to the national charity Missing People. The research described in this article was designed to examine the impact on families when someone goes missing.
Recommendations provide guidance for researchers planning research with service users.
... Policy The results of research undertaken for the Sustainable Development Commission Stella C... more ... Policy The results of research undertaken for the Sustainable Development Commission Stella Creasy Karin Gavelin Helen Fisher Lucy Holmes Maya Desai September 2007 Page 2. Engage For Change: The Role of Public Engagement in Climate Change Policy Contents ...
The aim of this research has been to describe and account for the differences in attitudes and ap... more The aim of this research has been to describe and account for the differences in attitudes and approaches to the regulation of street prostitution in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The research findings show that significant differences exist and offer an explanation of the reasons for this. The analysis of these findings may feed into policy debate about potential alterations of Scottish legislation on prostitution.
The models described in this article offer a framework within which policy formulation may take place. Despite there being different approaches across Scotland, there is sufficient common ground to suggest successful legislation and policy changes, if care is taken to build on issues of convergence and consensus. This article demonstrates where areas of potential compromise exist, and makes suggestions for policy approaches that will exploit the areas of common opinion.
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Papers by Lucy Holmes
Andrea Simon, Chloe Setter and Lucy Holmes
The article is based on the author’s experience of designing and conducting a research project which involved conducting in-depth interviews with a number of family members who had reported someone missing to the national charity Missing People. The research described in this article was designed to examine the impact on families when someone goes missing.
Recommendations provide guidance for researchers planning research with service users.
alterations of Scottish legislation on prostitution.
The models described in this article offer a framework within which policy formulation may take place. Despite there being different approaches across Scotland, there is sufficient common ground to suggest successful legislation
and policy changes, if care is taken to build on issues of convergence and consensus. This article demonstrates where areas of potential compromise exist, and makes suggestions for policy approaches that will exploit the areas of common opinion.
Andrea Simon, Chloe Setter and Lucy Holmes
The article is based on the author’s experience of designing and conducting a research project which involved conducting in-depth interviews with a number of family members who had reported someone missing to the national charity Missing People. The research described in this article was designed to examine the impact on families when someone goes missing.
Recommendations provide guidance for researchers planning research with service users.
alterations of Scottish legislation on prostitution.
The models described in this article offer a framework within which policy formulation may take place. Despite there being different approaches across Scotland, there is sufficient common ground to suggest successful legislation
and policy changes, if care is taken to build on issues of convergence and consensus. This article demonstrates where areas of potential compromise exist, and makes suggestions for policy approaches that will exploit the areas of common opinion.