PGR Placement Case Study - Megan Smith - Citizens Advice Leeds

Postgraduate Researcher Megan Smith completed an LSSI Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) Placement, working with Citizens Advice Leeds to co-produce an impact report highlighting welfare and mental health issues in the wider Leeds community.

Using university research experience to analyse activity

Citizens Advice Leeds had gathered a lot of data – including analysis surveys, client satisfaction reports and quantitative statistics.  The charity was keen to work with a researcher who was able to organise data and to search and cite literature, they approached LSSI through the PGR placement scheme to engage with a Postgraduate Researcher.

“I received an email from the university’s postgraduate leads highlighting the opportunity to apply for the PGR Placement,” Megan explains. “With my enthusiasm for writing, my studies in both the School of Psychology and the Faculty of Medicine and Health, and my experience facilitating focus groups, I felt I had the skills and empathy the charity was looking for.

My PhD highlights the voices of people in acute mental health hospitals, and I could draw on this to understand one of the key demographics of people using the Citizens Advice Leeds services. Mental health dismissal is common, and I knew I could amplify the experiences of those who may not otherwise get their views and feelings heard.”

We really valued the work she put in and the report she produced. We would certainly use the PGR placement scheme again in the future and would recommend other organisations take up this opportunity if relevant.

Marie Mooney, Advice Services Director at Citizens Advice Leeds

Making a difference through data

Megan reviewed evidence-based case studies and focus groups to address pertinent issues such as access to payments and food banks. In particular, she spent a lot of time speaking to people about their experiences of making Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims. “PIP is a notoriously challenging system,” Megan explains. “Forms are extensive and use complex terminology that alienates almost everyone, especially those experiencing mental health challenges. They go to Citizens Advice for help.”

Around 60% of PIP appeals are successful, securing many much-needed payments. “That alone shows why its work is making a difference,” Megan says. “The figures are shocking and would easily fly under the radar without these university-funded placements, where we can research, write and publish the findings of an organisation such as Citizens Advice. This co-production is massively important. After all, how can you understand people’s experiences if you’re not listening to them?”

Evidencing impact for further funding bids

The Citizens Advice Leeds project with LSSI helped the charity demonstrate the impact of its work and secure funding. The report detailed both achievements to date and plans for the future – highlighting policy changes and showing why the charity’s work is vital. “I believe Citizens Advice Leeds have already secured funding to increase their special advice capacity services, including more money to run their vital phoneline support system,” Megan says.

“Personally, the LSSI PGR Placement really helped me with my own data collection methods, through exploring new ways to ask and prompt research questions,” Megan concludes. “I also worked with people who shared their knowledge, which increased my confidence and improved my writing style. My placement was educational, enjoyable, and has given me a springboard for further research and career opportunities.”

“It was great working with Megan,” says Marie Mooney, Advice Services Director at Citizens Advice Leeds. “It was brilliant to have someone with dedicated time to bring together both our qualitative and quantitative data, showing the impact our work is having on our community.

“Megan was proactive, receptive to feedback, and a pleasure to work with. We really valued the work she put in and the report she produced. We would certainly use the PGR placement scheme again in the future and would recommend other organisations take up this opportunity if relevant.”

For further information about the PGR placement scheme please visit our webpage!