Royal British Legion: Independent Event Evaluation of Invictus Games 2025
The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and servicewomen, both Serving personnel and veterans. The Invictus Games acts as a crucial part of recovery journeys for many from the Armed Forces community and aims to positively focus on what they can achieve post injury or illness, celebrating their fighting spirit, though an inclusive sporting competition that recognises the sacrifice they have made. The Duke of Sussex was inspired to create the Invictus Games after visiting the Warrior Games in America 2013. The first Invictus Games took place in London in 2014 and was followed by games in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023. For 2025, the Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler brought together over 500 competitors from 20 nations to compete in a series of adaptive sports.
RBL has independently supported Team UK since the 2023 Invictus Games in Dusseldorf. For Vancouver-Whistler 2025, the programme ran over 18–24 months using a four-stage approach-Discover, Engage, Progress, Propel-forming the core recovery pathway and enabling tailored work with veterans and Serving personnel.
M·E·L Research was commissioned to independently evaluate RBL’s support for Team UK Invictus Games 2025 competitors and their family and friends. The event evaluations market research project examined both the programme’s impact on competitors and their close networks, and the journey experienced by all involved. The approach and research questions were co-designed with RBL delivery staff and competitors.
The event evaluations market research project factored in a period of co-design and used a mixed methods approach, collecting primary qualitative and quantitative data and analysing secondary data. For this event evaluations market research project we used traditional surveys, feedback forms, interviews and observational research, alongside more creative approach such as a graffiti wall, conversation trees, photo-elicitation, body mapping and video interviews.
It was an absolute honour to attend the Women’s Health Conference in London this week, bringing together clinicians, policymakers, campaigners and others passionate about improving women’s health.
As a researcher specialising in women’s health social research, I was excited to have the opportunity to learn, be challenged and exchange ideas with people who share that passion. And I wasn’t disappointed.
There has (quite rightly) been a lot of discussion recently about the gender health gap. But some of the evidence shared…
We are pleased to be working with the MS Society on new health and care social research exploring how health and care services can better support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and help reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
The health and care social research study will focus on opportunities for earlier intervention and more coordinated, preventative support, while recognising that hospital admission is sometimes clinically necessary. It will…
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at Collections Inside & Out, a symposium hosted at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden, bringing together people working across gardens, horticulture, heritage, collections and interpretation.
I was, perhaps, a slight interloper among so many people with deep horticultural expertise but every presentation was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot – and broadly managed to follow the general flow of what was being said (still not 100% au fait with taxa…
We’re pleased to share that our Commercial Director, Elliot Simmonds, will be speaking at the Collections Inside & Out symposium at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden on 24 September 2026. Bringing together professionals working across heritage collections, gardens and landscapes, the symposium will explore the relationship between indoor and outdoor heritage and the opportunities created by thinking about them as part of a connected visitor experience.
Elliot’s session, “Integrating Indoor…
M·E·L Research has been named the winner of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Value & Ethical Research 2026 at the UK Enterprise Awards.
The award recognises the values that shape both the work we choose to undertake and the way we deliver it. From building trauma-informed practices into our research to improving inclusion and reinvesting in the communities around us, social responsibility is part of how we operate every day.
M·E·L Research joined the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) at the House of Lords this week for the launch of a new report exploring the experiences of dyslexic young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Tamsin Maries, Senior Research Manager, and Elliot Simmonds, Commercial Manager, represented M·E·L Research at the event…
New UK-wide research from M·E·L Research’s SPARK report shows improving mental health indicators alongside continuing exposure to suicide, widespread lifetime suicidal thoughts and significant gaps in practical knowledge.
Suicide prevention depends on understanding not only how many people are affected, but also how confident the public feel about recognising risk, starting difficult conversations and finding appropriate support. The Spring 2026 SPARK report from M·E·L Research brings these issues together, providing a detailed picture of attitudes…
M·E·L Research is pleased to be supporting the Diocese of Manchester with an independent consultation to help inform its future leadership. The research will provide opportunities for people connected with diocesan life, as well as members of the wider community, to share their perspectives on the local context, priorities for the years ahead and the qualities that will be important in future leadership.
