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Wellbeing Loneliness Wellbeing poverty Low wellbeing

Research & policy

We use economics to provide information and analysis that helps tackle, and ultimately end, the causes and consequences of low wellbeing in the UK. Our analysts and economists have expertise and close connections with the social sector that allow them to develop vital insights for a range of audiences, including charities, funders, firms and policymakers.

The team work on a wide range of issues related to low wellbeing, including the following areas:

Our themes

Children & young people
Low wellbeing
Social sector
Housing
Loneliness

We work with charities, funders and policymakers dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people in the UK.

We’re facing a crisis in children’s wellbeing. The life satisfaction of our children has been trending down since 2011/12 and an international survey from the OECD ranked the wellbeing of the UK’s children 71st out of the 74 participating countries.

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Wellbeing reflects what matters most in our lives – our health, our finances and our connections to those around us.

Right now, more than 3 million adults in the UK are living in wellbeing poverty. We want to change that. We are working with policy makers and partners across the social and private sectors to drive this number down.

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Charities, community groups and social enterprises are essential – they solve problems, uplift marginalised voices, and often prevent people from experiencing low wellbeing.

Guided by the Law Family Commission on Civil Society, we use our research to inform charities and funders on the social sector’s health and develop solutions to its challenges.

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Where we live matters to our wellbeing.

Good housing is more than shelter – it’s a foundation for our lives. Our research explores how the housing crisis shapes people’s wellbeing.

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Right now, five million adults in the UK are struggling with persistent loneliness. They are 12 times more likely to experience low wellbeing than those who hardly ever feel lonely.

People under 30, women, those who are separated from their partners, the unemployed, and those reporting poor health are most likely to be affected, according to our analysis.

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Publications

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Better evidence, better outcomes: The business case for a Civil Society Evidence Organisation

Better evidence, better outcomes: The business case for a Civil Society Evidence Organisation

Jon Franklin, Chief Economist , Anoushka Kenley, Head of Social Sector , Matt Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer September 2025
Seen, safe and supported: The economic benefits of mentoring LGBTQ+ young people

Seen, safe and supported: The economic benefits of mentoring LGBTQ+ young people

Karol Rodriguez Cabrera, Economist August 2025
The happy childhood dividend: The value of reversing a decade of decline in children’s mental health

The happy childhood dividend: The value of reversing a decade of decline in children’s mental health

Rachel Gomez, Senior Economist , Jon Franklin, Chief Economist August 2025
Civil society and volunteering: A force for growth?
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Civil society and volunteering: A force for growth?

Civil society and volunteering are widely recognised as important generators of social value. From food banks to cancer research, local sports teams or youth clubs,…
Anoushka Kenley, Head of Social Sector , Jack Larkham, Senior Research and Policy Analyst , Josh Martin, Economist July 2025

Our Insights

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Impact stories

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