People want to ensure good comes out of the pandemic and they are taking action to make that happen
New research has shown that Scots want to see their lives change after Covid-19.
The David Hume Institute this week launched WhatsYourAction.scot after listening to over 4,500 people across Scotland in its largest inter-generational polling and research exercise in the last five years.
The research, which included nationwide polling and group conversations , showed people in Scotland are taking action to be kinder, care for the environment and being more conscious about how and where they spend their money, among a host of other actions.
According to DHI, everyone has choices every day that can help build forward better.
The research also showed that individuals and communities are encouraged by hearing about others taking action in their own lives. WhatsYourAction.scot aims to inspire and record some of the actions – big and small - that people across Scotland are taking to make a difference.
Susan Murray, director of David Hume Institute, said: “Our research clearly shows that people want their lives and communities to be different. The pandemic has focused people’s minds on what is important to them.
“People told us their priorities are being kinder, supporting nature and climate change, and making conscious choices with money. People have realised where they choose to spend money makes a difference to others.
“Many people have good ideas and enthusiasm but sometimes they want to know they are not on
their own. In research conversations, people told us that hearing about the action others have taken
encourages and inspires them.
“We are launching WhatsYourAction.scot so that even more people can share the action they want to take.”
Commissioned by DHI, a ScotPulse Scotland-wide survey of 1,166 adults, designed by Diffley Partnership and conducted online. It investigated public attitudes to the effects that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on life in Scotland, as well as people’s views and willingness to take action in their own lives to drive change and improve their communities and the nation as a whole.
The research findings include:
BEING KINDER
● Three in four people (77% - equivalent to around 3.37 million adults in Scotland) were helping neighbours
● Seven in 10 people (71% - equivalent to around 3.1 million adults in Scotland) received help from their families and friends
● Seven in 10 people (68% - equivalent to almost 3 million adults in Scotland) gave to charity
NATURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE
● Four in 10 people (36% - equivalent to nearly 1.6 million adults in Scotland) spent more time outside in nature last year with another 3 in 10 (33%) spending about the same amount of time outside
● Six in 10 people (58% - equivalent to more than 2.5 million adults in Scotland) intended to spend more time outside in future
MAKE CONSCIOUS CHOICES WITH MONEY
● One in 10 people (11% - equivalent to more than nearly 0.5 million adults in Scotland) say the change they’d most like to see as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic is more people shopping locally and supporting local businesses
Now people from across Scotland are being encouraged to visit WhatsYourAction.scot to consider their own priorities and find examples of actions they can take now to improve their lives and communities.
Over the next six months DHI will release further findings from the research including about sustainable places and the economy where longer term actions could help meet people’s priorities.
