Horizons Research

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education requires digital investment and ethical guidelines based on the findings of a recent publication exploring young people and teacher attitudes to AI in the Classroom..... https://lnkd.in/ej4M2f_N. Hear more about the Learning Beyond Boundaries project from Anton Florek (The Staff College) and our CEO Robert Rae (Horizons Research) on February 13, 2025, from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm GMT Book now: https://lnkd.in/eRx4TYzx

A fantastic project featuring the voices of children from South Ayrshire using language accessible to children and families. Find out more about the creative process involving Ida Henrich and Clarissa Hanekom working with Gillian Carroll and South Ayrshire Children's Services from Ida's Blog https://lnkd.in/euCXv-xd 🙌

As we approach the end of the year, we would like to take a moment to reach out to our clients, partners, associates and supporters. Your collaboration and trust have been invaluable to us and we are excited for what’s to come in 2025! Thank you for being a part of our journey. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎉✨ #ThankYou #SeasonGreetings #HappyHolidays #BusinessPartnerships Alt Text: Festive design with the worlds Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Horizons

Expanding our Horizons with new team members Exciting times at Horizons Research 😀 Over the past few months we have welcomed three new team members, each with their own expertise and passion. Larissa Nenning: A social policy researcher with a focus on labour markets, industrial relations, and welfare policy. She has a PhD from the University of Edinburgh with a passion for improving working conditions and economic democracy. Parisa Hashempour: An anthropological researcher, journalist and PhD candidate, Parisa works on social issues such as migration, race, and human rights. Transforming complex ideas and findings into accessible formats. Elaine Penman : With a background in marketing, business, and healthcare, Elaine has retrained as a dietitian and is supporting our research team with client and partnership tenders and projects. Find out more from the team in our 'About' section on the Horizons Website https://lnkd.in/dGSBJ8TS #ExpandingHorizons #MeetTheTeam Alt Text: Three profile pictures of Horizons new recruits

The Promise Progress Framework is part of wider work to tell The Promise Story of Progress, nationally, organisationally, and in the lives of care experienced children, young people, and families. This framework was developed by The Promise Scotland, Scottish Government, and COSLA but it is for everyone working to #KeepThePromise. Find out how you can be a part of the story here: https://ow.ly/IVY650UrX9y.

Festive celebrations with smiles all around 😃 As we approach the final weeks of 2024, it was great to come together to celebrate the past year and enjoy a meal after some fun activities that tested our brain cells and putting skills. Thank you to Aletia Crichton for organising a fantastic day 🎄. We missed you, Dr Eve Hepburn FRSA. Alt Text: Horizons Team members around a table smiling at the camera with empty plates

Did you know that there is a wide range of funding sources available to charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations for projects in South Ayrshire? These include funds from the UK Government, charitable trusts and the National Lottery. Some available funds include: • Steel Charitable Trust • Kristina Martin Charitable Trust • SUEZ Communities Fund Scotland • Robertson Trust For full details of the funds visit our website ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ex7fUxC6 If you would like to receive our regular e-mail update about funds available, please contact externalfunding2@south-ayrshire.gov.uk and leave your details.

The importance of listening to community voices in research and evaluation Since our inception in 2011, we've always worked on the basis that people with the sharpest focus on the changes required to public services are those most affected by the underlying issues. We stand by that, and in almost every service evaluation and research project we undertake, our starting point is to understand the experiences of those who use services. Understanding those experiences at different touchpoints in the system helps us see what works, why, and where changes and improvements could be made. Of course, the time of those sharing their insights with us can never be taken for granted. The expertise and experience of those who access services have currency (as much as any professional taking part in a meeting or focus group), and we would never expect those who take part in our research fieldwork to do so for free. This week, we've been out and about engaging with families in a school setting and hearing and collecting stories. Always fun. As well as the usual vouchers, in the run-up to the festive period, we also gave out rather a lot of selection boxes - hmm, that's what our researchers have told us, anyway! Alt Text:  Handwritten thank you note with the words ‘Many thanks for taking part in our evaluation project - much appreciated! from Horizons Research’ #ServiceEvaluation #CommunityVoices #ThankYou

Recognising and acting on mental health challenges As we reflect on Mental Health Day and World Kindness Day 2024 in October, while recognising the challenges raised by November's Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, we appreciate the impact mental health difficulties' have on daily life. As a social research company, we talk to people about their lived experiences. At times, we may be interacting with people who are going through a mental health crisis or living with a mental health disorder. This summer, Horizons took a proactive step to invest in Scotland's Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) training to equip our team with the skills to respond effectively. Find out more from our senior researcher Hannah Johnstone - 'Mental Health First Aid: why is it important and why do we do it?' https://lnkd.in/eqrJZmWM We want to thank Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) for delivering the company-wide training and our Business Manager, Aletia Crichton, for supporting the team's development with training opportunities. SMHFA training is delivered on behalf of Public Health Scotland in line with the Scottish Government's Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2017- 2027. We are keen to support this initiative to help those in distress safely. #MentalHealth #MentalHealthFirstAid

Disability sport plays a pivotal role in building confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. During #ScottishDisabilitySportWeek this week, organisations across Scotland are highlighting the benefits of inclusive sport and the impact it has on individuals, clubs and communities. Get involved and see the difference it makes! 🙌 Find out more: https://ow.ly/yGYG50Ua2eV #ScottishDisabilitySport