Close-Up Research is an ethnographic research and insight-led storytelling practice. We specialise in lived experience – spending time with people in their everyday environments to make sense of how they think, feel and behave. Our insights and films help organisations design, evaluate and communicate better policies, products and services.
For over 20 years, our research has spanned the public, private and third sectors across key areas including: Young People | Older People | Health & Wellbeing | Community & Place | Energy & Environment | Tech & Product Innovation | Employment & Financial Wellbeing.
Alongside core ethnography, we also offer: diary studies, vox pops, public dialogue filming, podcasts, photography, animation, co-design workshops, training and consultancy.
Below are some examples of our work exploring community & place.
What are the lived experiences of Hyde customers? / Hyde Foundation
As one of the largest and most diverse housing and community services providers in the country, Hyde wanted to better understand the lives and needs of the people they serve. We spent time with three different residents across the south-east, to explore several themes.
The film is divided seven sections, navigable via the Chapter button to the right of the play bar: Meet the Residents, Housing Challenges, Daily Routines, Community, Mental & Physical Health, Education & Employment, and Hopes for the Future.
HOW DO OLDER PEOPLE SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITIES? / CENTRE FOR AGEING BETTER
We visited people aged over 50 around the country, to understand: how older people contribute to their communities; what the barriers and enablers are for contributing; and how older people can be supported to contribute.
This video is a 1-minute compilation snapshot for social media, based on four ethnographic case studies. You can find all four individual case studies here.
What’s been the impact of an ‘Empowering Places’ programme on local communities? / Power To Change
The ‘Empowering Places’ fund was set up to support the growth of new community businesses via anchor organisations in six areas of deprivation. We travelled across England to meet with three catalyst organisations, over 20 community businesses, and local residents.
The film is divided into three sections, navigable via the Chapter button to the right of the play bar: About the Businesses, Improving Personal Skills, Confidence & Connections, and Promoting Community Empowerment & Wellbeing.
What’s been the impact of a ‘Place-Based Social Action’ programme? / The National Lottery Community Fund
The ‘PBSA’ fund was set up to build the capacity of local partnerships and address issues that matter to communities. We travelled to three areas across England, to meet over a dozen community organisations and find out the impact at a grassroots level.
This film is divided into three sections, navigable via the Chapter button to the right of the play bar: Some of the Social Action, Impact on Individuals Involved, and Impact on Wider Community.
HOW CAN CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLIES HELP RESIDENTS TACKLE LOCAL ISSUES? / INNOVATION IN DEMOCRACY PROGRAMME
We spent time with three participants each from a different assembly across England. Our goal was to understand their experiences and provide context for the issues being addressed in each assembly – in this case, the redevelopment of their respective town / city centres.
The resulting film appears alongside the citizens’ assembly handbookon The RSA and Involve’s websites, and the evaluation reportpublished by Renaisi.
HOW CAN PEOPLE BE ENCOURAGED TO ENGAGE WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT? / DEFRA
The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs wanted to know how to increase access and use of the natural environment, to support better mental health and wellbeing. Alongside Renaisi’s written report, we produced this ethnographic video based on visits to four different projects engaged with the natural environment.
The video is divided into four navigable sections: Types of Activities, Motivations, Getting Involved, and Recommendations.
WHAT’S BEEN THE IMPACT OF THE ‘FUTURE NEIGHBOURHOODS 2030’ PROGRAMME? / GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY
As part of the learning evaluation of the GLA’s Future Neighbourhoods 2030 programme, we met with council workers, residents and community groups in Somers Town and Notting Dale to explore local grantees supporting the transition to net zero. We produced a case study for each place, published alongside a written report.
This film about Somers Town is divided into five navigable sections: Intro to the area, Some of the projects, Community impact, Benefits of a neighbourhood-wide approach, and Top tips.
WHAT’S BEEN THE IMPACT OF SIX BENEFICIARY INITIATIVES IN FROME? / THE NATIONAL LOTTERY’S CLIMATE ACTION FUND
As part of the learning evaluation of the Climate Action Fund, we visited six grantee projects in Frome, to find out what the impact has been for the people and communities involved, and what lessons can be shared to help future projects. You can read CAG Consultants’ written report here,
How has the London Regeneration Fund affected local communities? / Greater London Authority
This is a shortened edit for social media. You can watch the full film here.
As part of the learning evaluation of the Mayor’s London Regeneration Fund, we visited two grantee places, Lakeside Centre and Poplar Works to explore how the spaces have been used and the impacts on the local community. This is a shorter edit of the Poplar Works video for social edit. You can watch the full films here. and find the the written report here.
WHAT’S IT LIKE GROWING OLDER IN LINCOLNSHIRE, AND HOW CAN THE COUNCIL HELP? / Centre for Ageing Better
We visited organisations working with older people across Lincolnshire, to speak with people about their experiences of growing older in the county, what they liked about living there, and what improvements they’d like to see. The interviews were recorded in audio-only format, and accompanied by photos of the participants and their local environments.