Research to boost the sales of healthy products in convenience stores
Background
The government has taken action to tackle rising rates of obesity, particularly among children and young adults. These actions include bringing a law to stop larger and medium size shops from selling foods that have a high level of fat, salt, or sugar at checkouts, aisle end and store entrances. Some convenience stores also have to follow the new law.
Convenience stores are at the heart of their local communities. They are important to local people in their area. We want to know more about how people use their local convenience stores and what changes would make it easier for them to shop more healthily.
Do you want to help with research and earn some money at the same time?
If you choose to work with us, you will join a small group of public members who will advise the research team. What you know about shopping foods and your own experiences of shopping at smaller stores will help us make sure we ask the right questions to people who take part in our study and that we get good answers back. We will ask you how true our findings are for you.
We may ask for your opinion on
- How we run our research study and contact people to take part
- What we say to customers in our study paperwork and the questions we ask
- How we share our findings with the public
Who are we looking for to become part of the public panel
- Parents or carers of young children
- People living on their own
- Older people
- People who will respect what other people say
- People who will keep what is said private
Our responsibilities to you are to
- Pay you for your time
- Provide training and support when you need it
Our team member, Mrs Preeti Dhuria will make sure you are involved as much as you want to be and will support you as you need.
Time contribution
We are asking you to spend 1-2 hours on this project every 3 months or so for about a year. You can stay on longer if you like until the project ends. You can choose to stop taking part at any time without giving a reason.
Payment and expenses
We will pay you for taking part in the meetings and for the time you spend reading paperwork. Payment is made at a standard rate of £25 per hour. Payments will be made in vouchers of your choice (e.g. supermarket vouchers, Amazon vouchers, Love2shop, One4all gift cards). You should get the vouchers the week after the meeting or after completing the work.
Most meetings will take place online. If there are any meetings which require travel, costs will be covered. The paperwork for all claims is just one form.
Contact details
If you are interested or would like to hear more contact Preeti Dhuria at pd@mrc.soton.ac.uk or call: 07503604343