M·E·L Research Joins Forces with British Cycling to Enhance Membership Offer
We are thrilled to announce a new and promising collaboration with British Cycling, the team who govern and develop the sport from grassroots participation through to supporting the riders representing Great Britain on the international stage. This partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting and contributing to the world of sports and physical activity.
The Challenge
British Cycling boasts a substantial membership base. This project is focussed on understanding how British Cycling can best support its members, seeking to explore perceptions of their various membership packages and associated benefits, as well as providing an opportunity to understand what members might want from British Cycling moving forward.
Ben Thatcher, who will lead the project for M·E·L Research, said:
“At M·E·L Research the mental and physical wellbeing of the population is a key focus across much of our research. The opportunity to work with one the UK’s most successful National Governing Bodies in medal terms in recent years is a great privilege and we’re looking forward to working with British Cycling to maximise the value that members across a range of cycling disciplines and levels of experience get from their membership of the organisation.”
Ben Thatcher, Qualitative Research Director
Our Proven Experience
M·E·L Research Ltd brings extensive experience to the table, particularly within the sport and physical activity sector. As a leading agency in this field, we have collaborated with various organisations, including:
National Governing Bodies: Our team have worked on diverse projects, from increasing accessibility to growing sports among specific demographics to exploring innovative formats, such as walking football.
National Funding Organisations and Policymakers: Our researchers have informed large-scale national interventions, contributing to the development of impactful policies and initiatives.
Local Authorities and Government: We’ve partnered with local entities to understand how physical activity interventions can enhance the health and well-being of communities, especially through modes like active travel.
Charities: We’ve supported national and local charities in promoting access to sports and highlighting the benefits of physical activity for health, the environment, and mental wellbeing.
Academic Institutions: Our collaboration with universities and academic institutions has furthered research studies through comprehensive data collection and analysis.
This collaboration between M·E·L Research Ltd and British Cycling signifies our dedication to understanding and enhancing the experience of British Cycling members. We are excited about the potential of this partnership and the positive impact it can have on membership retention, organisational growth, and the overall promotion of cycling, sport and physical activity more generally in Great Britain and the UK.
How do we demonstrate the true value of culture and heritage? And are we measuring everything that matters?
These were two of the questions that stood out during the third day of the Culture and Heritage Capital: Putting Theory into Practice conference.
Cultural organisations have long recognised that their impact extends beyond visitor numbers, ticket sales and tourism revenue. Museums, heritage sites and cultural programmes can support mental health and wellbeing, strengthen community connections, create opportunities for learning and preserve our shared…
M·E·L Research is pleased to be working with the British Film Institute (BFI) on a three-year evaluation of the BFI Film Academy programme. Since 2012, BFI Film Academy has supported young people to develop skills, confidence, knowledge and networks and explore routes into careers across the screen industries. The refreshed 2026–2029 programme builds on this experience, creating connected pathways from early engagement through to specialist training, mentoring, placements and industry-facing progression, with a strong emphasis on…
M·E·L Research is pleased to welcome four new colleagues to our growing team, strengthening our research and evaluation expertise as we continue to expand our services and support clients.
The appointments of Laura Karban, Associate Director; Bethan Jewsbury, Senior Evaluation Managers; and Chloe Parker, Research Manager, alongside Rhoslyn Davies, who joins us on a short-term basis to provide additional senior evaluation support, bring a wealth of experience across social research, evaluation, public policy…
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.
