Xiaohongshu
Join us for our Evaluating Community Pilates for Women Aged 50+ project
The Research Volunteering programme through the Community Research Initiative gives YOU the power to take your research and classroom skills out into the community to create a positive social impact. Through our bite size projects, you’ll work with a group of interdisciplinary peers and organisational allies to tackle a project that will draw on your research skills. These projects are flexible and designed with students in mind to give you amazing experience to fuel your CV, explore new skills, and meet other likeminded students. Each opportunity is unique, make sure to check out our page for more information.
All about the organsiation
Trapped in Zone One is a registered London based arts collective, with a passion for the arts and culture. Our philosophy is to build strong partnership with community groups and organisations and support our artists, whether it’s their first steps in the art world or if they’re established already. Since 2017 we have been proud ambassadors of GreatArt and host exhibitions, running monthly creative workshops to curating interior and public murals.
A bit about the project
This project gives you the chance to help Trapped in Zone One understand the real impact of its free, women‑only Pilates programme for women aged 50 and over. You’ll work directly with participants and the wider community to explore how accessible, person‑centred wellbeing activities can improve physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection for older women from marginalised backgrounds. Your findings will help secure long‑term funding, strengthen outreach, and support the expansion of this safe, empowering programme into more boroughs.
- What can I expect from this opportunity?
- Collect insights from women aged 50+ through interviews, surveys, and focus groups.
- Explore barriers to participation among women who are not yet engaging in the programme.
- Analyse participant experiences to understand changes in mobility, confidence, wellbeing, and social connection.
- Work closely with community practitioners delivering the programme.
- Contribute to a final evaluation report used for funding bids and programme development.
- Gain hands‑on experience in community research, ethical practice, and social impact evaluation.
- How will my work on this project impact the community?
- Provide evidence that helps secure long‑term funding for free, women‑only Pilates classes.
- Highlight the physical, emotional, and social benefits experienced by older women.
- Strengthen outreach strategies so more women aged 50+ can access safe, supportive wellbeing spaces.
- Support healthier ageing and reduce isolation among marginalised older women.
- Help expand the programme into new boroughs, reaching more women who need it.
What key tasks will the volunteer team be responsible for?
- Collect insights from the community
- Work in your research team to design a data collection plan consisting of surveys, interviews, or observations with women aged 50+.
- Create materials for data collection including surveys, interview schedules, or observation schedules
- Attend community classes to engage both current participants and women from the wider target population who may not yet be engaging in the programme (e.g., through surveys exploring barriers to participation, gym usage, and community connection)
- Analyse Participant Experiences
- Review qualitative and quantitative data to identify themes and trends around physical health, wellbeing, and social connection.
- Compare experiences of engaged participants with those who face barriers to joining.
- Produce the Final Evaluation Summary
- Bring together data and participant voices into a clear, accessible summary
- Create visuals and pull quotes that communicate impact to funders and partners.
- Offer recommendations for sustainability, outreach, and programme expansion.
What skills will I practice and develop during this experience?
- Develop skills in qualitative research (interviews, surveys, focus groups)
- Learn how to evaluate community health and wellbeing programmes
- Gain experience conducting ethical research with vulnerable populations
- Understand how evidence supports funding, policy, and service development
- Work directly with community members and practitioners
- Build knowledge of the voluntary and not-for-profit sector
- Volunteers will gain practical, hands-on experience in social research while contributing to a meaningful project that supports women’s wellbeing, safe community spaces, and equitable access to health opportunities.