Our research and policy work provides us, and the wider community, with evidence-based insights that guide our decision-making and strategic planning. Through our research we are able to identify trends, assess needs and evaluate impact to ensure that our efforts are both effective and responsive in the communities in which we serve.
Exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) at SJOG: no one left behind in the digital age
Over the past three decades, digital technologies have transformed the operational landscape of charitable organisations…
August 2025
Here to Help: Project Evaluation
The primary aim of the Here to Help was to raise awareness of suicide risks among autistic individuals and provide a toolkit for prevention…
May 2025
Roots and Shoots: Evaluating a pilot of social therapeutic horticulture at SJOG
Roots and Shoots was a horticultural project that embedded horticultural activities into the daily living of people we support at SJOG…
May 2025
Impact Report 2024 - Creating an Impact Measurement Framework for SJOG
Our Impact Framework assesses the benefit we have on the communities and individuals we support…
April 2025
Respecting Choice and Managing Risk
Supporting individuals with learning disabilities who decline adapted diets despite choking hazards…
January 2025
Here to Help mid-way impact report
In 2023 The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) established a £10 Million Suicide Prevention Grant Fund, launched in August 2023…
September 2024
Exploring access to health support and treatment for people subject to modern-day slavery and trafficking
This study is part of a series of research projects commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the UCLH Inclusion Health Outreach team.…
August 2024
SJOG Homes for Ukraine, in partnership with Caritas Social Action Network - Project Evaluation
The SJOG Homes for Ukraine Project in partnership with CSAN launched in September 2022. It ran for 22 months and finished in July 2024…
July 2024
Ageing Well: A model of support for religious orders in Hexham and Newcastle Diocese
The concept of “ageing well” has gained attention in literature as an approach to health and well-being that incorporates a range of factors in the lives of older adults…
July 2024
Enhancing support for people who experienced modern-day slavery through learning and skills activities
In the UK, people subject to modern slavery and trafficking (MDS) receive formal identification through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM)…
July 2024
Developing an exercise intervention for autistic people: A case study
We aim to develop effective care and support that incorporates physical activity to help reduce the risk of short and long term physiological and/or mental illness becoming an influencing factor on a person’s quality of life…
June 2024
Disability Colloquium - Disability and Theology
The Catholic Theology in Practice Network hosted a colloquium at the University of Roehampton…
August 2023
European Social Inclusion Conference
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the war sparked the fastest-growing refugee situation in the world…
July 2023
SJOG Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Addressing Human Trafficking and Exploitation
At present, over 8.5 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded across Europe, while is estimated that the number will increase by the end of 2023. (UNHCR, June, 2023)…
June 2023
Understanding the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): what support for young adults in Hertfordshire?
Effects of pre-natal alcohol are known to have lifelong consequences, though the impact this has on adolescents and adults is less well understood…
June 2023
SJOG’s Approach to Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is a fundamental skill to live in today’s technologically driven world. At SJOG we want to make sure colleagues feel comfortable embracing new digital tools that make their job and everyday tasks better…
May 2023
Understanding homelessness: how does SJOG support people to overcome/prevent rough sleeping experience?
In 2021, two people died homeless every day in the UK. Rough sleeping has increased by more than a quarter in the past year…
April 2023
The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill
Working conditions in industrialised countries have changed dramatically over the past two decades. The application of new technologies and the emergence of new forms of work organisation have transformed the ‘standard’ full time permanent job…
March 2023
A life worthwhile - Scoping future service offers revisited - A review in 2022
This research was conducted as a continuation of the 2019 paper A life worthwhile- scoping future services offers.…
February 2023
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: What rights in the UK for 2022?
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place on the 3rd of December each year; it was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 and aims to promote…
December 2022
Health and Care Act – Supporting a NHS Long Term Plan
Liz Truss has been recently appointed as the new prime minister. While she remains committed to invest in social care, she nominated Thérèse Coffey as her new deputy prime minister and the secretary of state for health and social care…
October 2022
Social Housing– Reforms and Strategies
Social housing refers to the rental at below the market rate or the purchase through low-cost home ownership schemes such as shared ownership. It is provided by local authorities and private registered providers…
September 2022
Roots and Shoots: Embedding horticulture as a meaningful daily activity in disability services
Social Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) is seen as a therapeutic movement, using horticulturerelated activities to promote the health and well-being of disabled and vulnerable people…
September 2022
The Homelessness Reduction Act – what to expect in the years to come?
The Homelessness Reduction Act became law on 3 April 2018. The Act introduced a duty on specified public authorities to refer people who they think may be homeless…
July 2022
SJOG Environmental Audit Report 2022
Making positive impact across the communities we work and the people we support are central to our approach at SJOG. Within this, we also align ourselves to the Catholic social teaching principles…
July 2022
A look into the Public Order Bill – Policy Report
Following protests over the past two years, when the police spent millions in managing disruptive demonstrations, such as Extinction Rebellion’s protests in 2019, affecting some of London’s busiest areas…
July 2022
The Vagrancy Act 1824 after repeal – what is the impact likely to be on people experiencing homelessness?
In February 2022, Parliament voted to repeal the Vagrancy Act as part of part of Government’s commitment to ending rough sleeping…
July 2022
Design and the entrepreneurial charity
Presentation delivered as part of keynote on the 21st June 2022 for the Multidisciplinary Innovation for Social Change COST Action programme…
June 2022
Understanding and improving spiritual care at SJOG
Spirituality is a multidimensional concept which has been developed and expanded over time. Due to it being re-defined many times…
June 2022
The Rwanda Offshoring Plan Explained: What Impact on Survivors of Modern Slavery and Trafficking?
On 14 April, the Government announced the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) deal with Rwanda…
May 2022
Establishing an evidenced-based trauma-informed care pathway for survivors of modern slavery
This research aims to explore how the concept of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) approach can be adopted by SJOG services…
May 2022
Play it! Playwriting as a method for ESOL. Pathways from Homelessness Conference 2022 Poster Presentation.
Participating in the arts can inspire, motivate and challenge us, increase our confidence…
March 2022
GROWing - Life coaching as a support programme for people experiencing homelessness. Pathways from Homelessness Conference 2022 Presentation
We identified that in our homeless support services, life coaching would offer an innovate support model coaching)…
March 2022
Using theatre and performing arts as a tool to build English speech and language skills for people who are homeless
As well as acting as a therapeutic tool and a form of self-expression, drama can be used as a powerful method of developing and enhancing the wellbeing…
February 2022
Life coaching as a support programme for people experiencing homelessness – a method for evaluation
Coaching psychology is a scientific foundation for the work of coaches; it is a collection of theories, techniques and frameworks…
January 2022
Service blueprints as building blocks for developing complex care support.
Good services need to be designed. We are all familiar with the services we receive in shops, the websites…
December 2021
Ageing, Growth and Change: Understanding the contributions and support needs of lay members within Catholic parish communities.
Pope Francis has emphasised the need to invent the future for ageing populations. In a world that …
August 2021
Swab Mob! Using Adenosine Triphosphate screening to improve environmental cleaning practice in residential care settings during Covid-19.
Our Swab Mob project aimed to increase awareness of environmental cleaning among colleagues, improve cleaning practice …
May 2021
Ideas to help realise a strategy
SJOG’s second conference brought together over 100 people from across the organisation. Aside, from providing an opportunity to network and discuss …
December 2019
Can Accessible Technology Help Person-Centred Planning
Exploring the role of an ICT solution to evidence value in service delivery for people with intellectual disabilities (ID)…
November 2019
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia
Individuals with insomnia are reliably distinguished from good sleepers by self-reported sleep symptoms…
November 2019
Evidence of impact in an Irish outpatient Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
What is SAS? A Fun, multi-media program for 8-12 year olds. For children with a range of social-emotional challenges e.g. ASD, ADHD, AD, Anger difficulties…
November 2019
Mental illness stigma in healthcare
Stigma in health care. The evidence base for reducing stigma- and we hope, discrimination. Applying the evidence base in practice and in education…
November 2019
Participation - the key to personalised healthcare
What is 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome? A rare genetic disorder caused by a micro-deletion of a chromosome resulting in the loss of up to 200 genes…
November 2019
Annual Prevalence of Suicide in Malawi
Suicide is increasing public health concern & one of the leading causes of death in many countries…
November 2019
What is positive behaviour support and how did it evolve?
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an evidencebased approach for enhancing quality of life and reducing behaviours that can have a negative impact …
July 2019
Understanding community need at Woodhall Community Centre
When developing a new service or initiative it is imperative to understand the needs of the people who may use the new service. Ensuring that their needs …
July 2019
What fraud protection strategies are in place to protect those with a learning disability
This academic report aims to discuss what strategies are in place to protect those lacking capacity from fraud and are they fit for purpose. It will highlight strategies…
May 2019
Care for Catholic religious orders in an ageing population
A short review of academic research in the area of support for ageing Catholic religious’ orders was carried out…
May 2019
A life worthwile - scoping future service offers
What makes your life worthwhile? At SJOG we asked this question to 112 people across 12 services. Whilst we recognise the uniqueness of every individual …
May 2019
