Understanding Non-Engagement
RCT Council wants to understand more about the people who don’t currently use Arts, Libraries and Leisure services. While we already collect good information about regular users, far less is known about residents who use these services rarely, occasionally, or not at all.
This project aims to fill that gap by listening to the experiences of residents whose voices are less often heard. We want to understand what stops people from using these services, what could make them more appealing, and how we can design activities, spaces and opportunities that better meet the needs of our whole population.
We want to hear from people who:
use our services frequently or occasionally
rarely or never use RCT’s Arts, Libraries or Leisure services
don’t know much about what these services offer
have considered using them but never taken the next step
aren’t sure if these services are “for them”
feel these services don’t meet their needs or interests
are part of a community whose experiences aren’t often captured
Your views will help us understand what stops people from engaging and what might encourage more residents to take part in the future.
What we will do
We will gather a range of lived experience, feedback, and evidence from people across RCT to better understand:
The needs of the wider population to support more targeted work and better service planning
The barriers that prevent people from using Arts, Libraries and Leisure services
What would help people to engage more confidently - including practical, cultural, social and emotional factors
How these services contribute to community cohesion, wellbeing and quality of life
How we can measure their wider impact on residents and communities
Our aim is to use this information to shape services that are more welcoming, relevant and accessible for everyone.
How you can get involved
Complete our survey below and share your experiences, even if you’ve never used these services before. Your views will help us understand what needs to change and what would make services more appealing or accessible.
The survey only takes a few minutes, and everything you share will be kept safe and confidential.