The 2006 Cumbria Quality of Life survey was conducted by the Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute on behalf of Cumbria County Council. The fieldwork period was between 28 July and 29 September 2006. This page provides basic background information and links to various reports and datasets from the survey.

Background
In total 15,500 Cumbria residents were invited to complete the postal survey. The survey findings are based on the views of those who responded; 2,133 residents distributed across the six districts, with an additional 663 residents in Barrow NMIA, 608 in Whitehaven NMIA and 622 in Workington NMIA. The research was intended to expand the evidence base of the Council and its partner organisations in three key ways: 

• To provide evidence of residents’ priorities for their local area and services;
• To collect baseline information for Local Area Agreement (LAA) outcome indicators; 
• To supply comprehensive data on key quality of life issues in three Neighbourhood Management Initiative Areas (NMIAs), including baselines.  

More specifically, the research covered the following issues:

• Satisfaction with Cumbria as a place to live;
• Views on Council participation, volunteering and community cohesion;
• Perceptions of community and safety in the local area;
• Attitudes towards the local environment;
• Satisfaction with service provision;
• Transport and mobility; and, 
• Perceptions of health and well-being.

The survey provides a benchmark that will enable the Council and partners to look at how results are changing over time by conducting further surveys in the future, and on certain key indicators, to compare local findings with BVPI data and with the national picture. 

If you require further information about any aspect of the survey contact:

Corporate Research Officer
Cumbria County Council
The Courts
Carlisle
CA3 8NA
Tel: 01228 606308
Email: kieran.barr@cumbriacc.gov.uk