Are people really feeling the pinch?

TanaMa

There are so many people 'feeling the pinch' at the moment with tales if woe BUT despite the economic situation at the moment I am amazed at the number of people who can afford to be at the World football in Doha - families with 2 or more children. I wonder how.many of those attending are on benefits and will be expecting the Govt to come to their rescue?!

I wonder how.many of those attending are on benefits and will be expecting the Govt to come to their rescue?!

Very few, I would imagine! In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if there were none.
I think they will be at home, watching the games on their gazillion-inch flat-screen TVs necking cans of Foster's and chomping their way through take-aways in cardboard cartons.

... I thought I'd just complete the narrative that's obviously exercising your thought process at the moment.

<<<sigh>>>

Perhaps people are too busy working their regular jobs - anyone with a spare 90 minutes during the working week would probably be retired

Where have you advertised. Because I’m suprised you haven’t had a better response, I’d do it for £50 at the mo.

I would love to take part. I signed up for an online market research thing but they all seemed to involve younger people or lots of technology and were all on zoom type things.

I earn £10.93 ph for quite a specialised job. My company will not give us a pay rise but may consider it next year. I would jump at that. £50 for 90 minutes yes please.

I love doing those, PM me if you like

This reminds me of when my daughter worked for London theatres. She often got complementary tickets which she didn't want to waste. She would try handing them to tourists and many would refuse to take them!

Sometimes it's the language being used, ' focus meetings, involvement, representation, service users' , can really put people off.

Change the language to 'coffee morning, chat, opinion, listen,' etc., can make these opportunities more accessible.

If these meetings are during the day, are children welcome? Is transport available? Shopping vouchers may be more useful as some of these people may be in receipt of benefit and may not be entitled to money without it affecting their benefit. Or a hamper?

I think I was able to claim my travel costs.

Sago, hope you don't mind me asking but how does one sign up for in person focus groups. I loved doing these when I was a young mum at home and would love to do some now I am retired. Who doesn't like to meet people and chat and then get paid! I especially liked the market research when you got to sample the food being researched!

Daftbag1

Sometimes it's the language being used, ' focus meetings, involvement, representation, service users' , can really put people off.

Change the language to 'coffee morning, chat, opinion, listen,' etc., can make these opportunities more accessible.

If these meetings are during the day, are children welcome? Is transport available? Shopping vouchers may be more useful as some of these people may be in receipt of benefit and may not be entitled to money without it affecting their benefit. Or a hamper?

If these meetings are during the day, are children welcome? Is transport available? Shopping vouchers may be more useful as some of these people may be in receipt of benefit and may not be entitled to money without it affecting their benefit. Or a hamper?

Good points. I think, but am not sure, that you are allowed to receive 'gifts' that equate to a monetary value when you are in receipt of benefits without it affecting them. Maybe a food hamper would be acceptable.

Tan Ma many of the people who have gone to the World Cup have planned in advance and have been saving for 4 years and gone without holidays. I know in one Welsh area the local football club organised a saving scheme, they also stayed in a neighbouring country to save on accommodation costs flying in on a shuttle service for the games they wanted to see. Passionate about their game

Sago, golly! It sounds as if most of the respondees are upper class because they seem so skeptical or dismissive. I can tell you we're feeling the pinch here in America. Food and utilities are outrageous! If I were on your side of the pond, I would sign up. I always thought we were middle class, but that is rapidly changing as the cost of energy, food, repairs are doubling and tripling, just depending on the item. I often laugh about the horrible comments on GN about Trump. I voted for him, but let's be clear, I wouldn't want to date him. Americans who voted for him just like what he was able to do and provide for the country while he was in office. Most Brits seem to love Biden (if they only knew!). Biden is the reason why our expenses are so high here, AND the reason why your fuel expenses are so high, yet everyone seems to like Biden. Financially, we were so much better off under Trump. Our Black and Hispanic communities did much better under Trump, which is why in two of the last elections you have seen more Blacks and Hispanics voting for Republicans. I don't think too many people would vote for Biden again.

Biden is the reason why our expenses are so high here, AND the reason why your fuel expenses are so high, yet everyone seems to like Biden

Well, that's a new one on me!

Would you like to elicit please, happycatholicwife1

Silly me, I thought it was the energy companies making mega profits and Putin.

Jaxjacky

Silly me, I thought it was the energy companies making mega profits and Putin.

Me too.

But it's all Joe's fault. I must re-adjust my thinking.

Newdawn

Sago, hope you don't mind me asking but how does one sign up for in person focus groups. I loved doing these when I was a young mum at home and would love to do some now I am retired. Who doesn't like to meet people and chat and then get paid! I especially liked the market research when you got to sample the food being researched!

I have a panel of about 300 people who do product testing for me, this is all based in the area I live.

The focus groups we do are usually advertised through community hubs, we don’t use the same people for focus groups, it doesn’t work if people know each other there is something called relationship bias.

I can only suggest you Google local Market Research agencies and see if they have a consumer panel you can join.

I dont drive so to get a taxi into (say) the city would be £10 each way. So it would only represent £30 to me. I wouldnt get out of bed for that. If you arranged door to door transport and the subject was of interest to me I might consider it.

I work in the voluntary sector. We sometimes consult with individuals in relation to health and services. I think the reason that you may be experiencing difficulties in the less affluent areas is probably down to the following factors:

1. There is a lot of public consultation in less affluent areas. People often feel that they are being consulted to death, especially as this consultation is often not followed by feedback, so they feel ‘what is the point’.
2. The people in these areas are often deeply mistrustful (often quite justifiably) and will therefore only become involved with trusted local organisations.
3. These individuals rarely have a voice and can often feel that they won’t be listened to anyway.

It is a challenge. We are very embedded in our community and often have to carry out this sort of consultation on behalf of health etc. even we struggle. Advertising via local social media (local Facebook groups) has proven effective for us, particularly as we are a trusted voice. It is difficult though. I would recommend that you went through your local CVS, but if this is research for a commercial entity then unfortunately they are unlikely to want to be involved, as they will have strict rules about endorsing companies. I wish you good luck, it’s not easy.

It depends how it has been advertised and explained.

For those who say they are plenty of people in Oxford Street spending money, they are the people who can go out and spend money. You don't see those at home who can't even afford a bus ride.

Blondiescot

I'd do it in a heartbeat - but I've never seen anything like this advertised in my area.

Me too but I’ve never seen anything like this advertised in my area. Where are you advertising exactly?

Sago, I don't think it's time wasting. £50 for 90 minutes to give your opinion? I readily give my opinion for free, and the most I ever get is some cheese and crackers and a glass of wine. I'd do it if I were there.

Whitbygal

Blondiescot

I'd do it in a heartbeat - but I've never seen anything like this advertised in my area.

Me too but I’ve never seen anything like this advertised in my area. Where are you advertising exactly?

We advertise in libraries, community centres,church halls, post offices and have also used Facebook reluctantly!
We have community leaders who have used their FB community pages.
I have finally just about filled the spaces in all 6 groups but it’s been hard.

One person I spoke to said “ they’re all on the fiddle round here luv, they think it’s a trap”.😬