This page contains information relating to research being carried out by The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), on behalf of Defra associated with an evaluation of the Nature for Climate Tree Planting Programme.
We are required to provide anyone engaging with the research process adequate information about our work, and obtain consent from them that they are willing to participate.
This page will contain information for those people who are assisting the CCRI with their evaluation, either via an interview or focus group. Please access the information which relates to your association with the Climate Tree Planting Programme. On this page is the following information:
- Information sheet for grant applicants
- Information sheet for delivery team members
- Information sheet for grant developers/policy staff
- Consent form (Information about the online consent form)
- Debrief information
Grant applicant – Participant Information Sheet
Invitation
You are being invited to take part in either an interview or a focus group, carried out as part of an evaluation of Defra’s Nature for Climate Tree Planting Programme. This programme provides grants and support using mechanisms such as the England Woodland Creation Grant (EWCO), Community Forests and Woodland Creation Partnerships to meet the UK government’s objectives for tree planting and woodland creation in England. The interviews and focus groups are being carried out by researchers at The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), on behalf of Defra. The Forestry Commission, Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall have been working to support Defra in relation to this initiative.
Before you decide to participate, it is important for you to understand why this research is being conducted and what your participation will involve. The following Information Sheet outlines what taking part will involve and how the information and any personal data you share will be used by all parties in carrying out this research. It also contains contact details should you wish to find out more, withdraw your participation or exercise your rights under the UK Data Protection Act 2018.
Please take the time to read the following information carefully.
Who are the CCRI?
The CCRI, within the University of Gloucestershire, is a specialist rural research institute working at the interface of agriculture, society and the environment. Learn more about the institute here: http://www.ccri.ac.uk/about-the-ccri/. As part of this project, we are also working with partners from ADAS, an independent research consultancy.
Why am I being asked to participate in this research?
The aim of this study is to evaluate the tree planting and woodland creation scheme in England. The interviews and focus groups are a key part of the evaluation and seek to collect information about your experience of [receiving an] England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) grant or a grant via Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall. To inform the evaluation of these grants and the process of applying for them [delivering them, it is crucial for Defra to receive input and views from those who have been through the application process. As you have first-hand experience of applying for a tree planting grant or support, we are particularly interested in your thoughts and opinions. We are interested in the views of both successful and unsuccessful applicants, and are therefore inviting all applicants to take part in these interviews.
If I participate, what is my data going to be used for?
The information shared in interviews and focus groups will be (this might involve looking at patterns in the verbal responses using specialist software) aggregated and anonymised. This will then be used by the team to write a report which will make recommendations on what worked well, for whom and in what context, in terms of the grants and support delivered via the Nature for Climate Tree Planting Programme. This report will be sent to Defra and eventually made publicly available. We may also publish academic articles using the data. Anonymised data may be kept indefinitely and used for future research.
All data will be stored on encrypted, password protected computers and on the University of Gloucestershire Sharepoint or Teams site. For more information on how the research team manages personal data, please read the CCRI Research Participants Privacy Notice.
The Forestry Commission, Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall will not share any personal data with Defra, CCRI or ADAS.
Do I have to take part?
No – participation is voluntary. It is entirely up to you whether you decide to participate. You can stop taking part at any time and choose not to answer a question.
How can withdraw my information?
You can withdraw your interview responses or contribution to a focus group for up to two weeks after taking part. Please email agoodenough@ccri.ac.uk if you wish to remove your responses within this timeframe.
You also have the right to access any personal data and the right to rectify, block or delete it in case the data is inaccurate or incomplete. If you shared personal data in order to take part in the interview or focus group (such as email address) and you want to verify which personal data is being stored to enable you to take part, and have it modified, corrected or deleted, please email agoodenough@ccri.ac.uk. We aim to follow up your request within two weeks, but this may be extended to one month where necessary. You will be informed of any such extension within 2 weeks of receipt of the request, together with the reasons for the delay.
Who has reviewed this research for ethical clearance?
The research has been granted approval from the University of Gloucestershire Ethics Committee and steps have been taken to ensure the interviews and focus groups (and the wider project) fully comply with the necessary personal data management procedures in place at the University (more info: https://www.glos.ac.uk/research/research-ethics).
What if I have any questions / concerns?
Please email the project lead Dr Julie Urquhart (jurquhart1@glos.ac.uk). Alternatively, please contact the Chair of the University of Gloucestershire Research Ethics Committee (Prof Matt Reed mreed@glos.ac.uk).
Please save a copy of this information sheet for your future reference.
Delivery Team – Participant Information Sheet
Invitation
You are being invited to take part in either an interview or a focus group, carried out as part of an evaluation of Defra’s Nature for Climate Tree Planting Programme. This programme provides grants and support using mechanisms such as the England Woodland Creation Grant (EWCO), Community Forests and Woodland Creation Partnerships to meet the UK government’s objectives for tree planting and woodland creation in England. The interviews and focus groups are being carried out by researchers at The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), on behalf of Defra. The Forestry Commission, Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall have been working to support Defra in relation to this initiative.
Before you decide to participate, it is important for you to understand why this research is being conducted and what your participation will involve. The following Information Sheet outlines what taking part will involve and how the information and any personal data you share will be used by all parties in carrying out this research. It also contains contact details should you wish to find out more, withdraw your participation or exercise your rights under the UK Data Protection Act 2018.
Please take the time to read the following information carefully.
Who are the CCRI?
The CCRI, within the University of Gloucestershire, is a specialist rural research institute working at the interface of agriculture, society and the environment. Learn more about the institute here: http://www.ccri.ac.uk/about-the-ccri/. As part of this project, we are also working with partners from ADAS, an independent research consultancy.
Why am I being asked to participate in this research?
The aim of this study is to evaluate the tree planting and woodland creation scheme in England. The interviews and focus groups are a key part of the evaluation and seek to collect information about your experience of delivering England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) grants, or grants via Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall. To inform the evaluation of these grants and the process of delivering them it is crucial for Defra to receive input and views from those who have been through the delivery process. As you have first-hand experience of delivering tree planting grants or support, we are particularly interested in your thoughts and opinions.
If I participate, what is my data going to be used for?
The information shared in interviews and focus groups will be (this might involve looking at patterns in the verbal responses using specialist software) aggregated and anonymised. This will then be used by the team to write a report which will make recommendations on what worked well, for whom and in what context, in terms of the grants and support delivered via the Nature for Climate Tree Planting Programme. This report will be sent to Defra and eventually made publicly available. We may also publish academic articles using the data. Anonymised data may be kept indefinitely and used for future research.
All data will be stored on encrypted, password protected computers and on the University of Gloucestershire Sharepoint or Teams site. For more information on how the research team manages personal data, please read the CCRI Research Participants Privacy Notice.
The Forestry Commission, Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall will not share any personal data with Defra, CCRI or ADAS.
Do I have to take part?
No – participation is voluntary. It is entirely up to you whether you decide to participate. You can stop taking part at any time and choose not to answer a question.
How can withdraw my information?
You can withdraw your interview responses or contribution to a focus group for up to two weeks after taking part. Please email agoodenough@ccri.ac.uk if you wish to remove your responses within this timeframe.
You also have the right to access any personal data and the right to rectify, block or delete it in case the data is inaccurate or incomplete. If you shared personal data in order to take part in the interview or focus group (such as email address) and you want to verify which personal data is being stored to enable you to take part, and have it modified, corrected or deleted, please email agoodenough@ccri.ac.uk. We aim to follow up your request within two weeks, but this may be extended to one month where necessary. You will be informed of any such extension within 2 weeks of receipt of the request, together with the reasons for the delay.
Who has reviewed this research for ethical clearance?
The research has been granted approval from the University of Gloucestershire Ethics Committee and steps have been taken to ensure the interviews and focus groups (and the wider project) fully comply with the necessary personal data management procedures in place at the University (more info: https://www.glos.ac.uk/research/research-ethics).
What if I have any questions / concerns?
Please email the project lead Dr Julie Urquhart (jurquhart1@glos.ac.uk). Alternatively, please contact the Chair of the University of Gloucestershire Research Ethics Committee (Prof Matt Reed mreed@glos.ac.uk).
Please save a copy of this information sheet for your future reference.
Grant Developers/Policy Staff
Invitation
You are being invited to take part in either an interview or a focus group, carried out as part of an evaluation of Defra’s Nature for Climate Tree Planting Programme. This programme provides grants and support using mechanisms such as the England Woodland Creation Grant (EWCO), Community Forests and Woodland Creation Partnerships to meet the UK government’s objectives for tree planting and woodland creation in England. The interviews and focus groups are being carried out by researchers at The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), on behalf of Defra. The Forestry Commission, Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall have been working to support Defra in relation to this initiative.
Before you decide to participate, it is important for you to understand why this research is being conducted and what your participation will involve. The following Information Sheet outlines what taking part will involve and how the information and any personal data you share will be used by all parties in carrying out this research. It also contains contact details should you wish to find out more, withdraw your participation or exercise your rights under the UK Data Protection Act 2018.
Please take the time to read the following information carefully.
Who are the CCRI?
The CCRI, within the University of Gloucestershire, is a specialist rural research institute working at the interface of agriculture, society and the environment. Learn more about the institute here: http://www.ccri.ac.uk/about-the-ccri/. As part of this project, we are also working with partners from ADAS, an independent research consultancy.
Why am I being asked to participate in this research?
The aim of this study is to evaluate the tree planting and woodland creation scheme in England. The interviews and focus groups are a key part of the evaluation and seek to collect information about your experience of developing and delivering the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) grant or grants via Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall. To inform the evaluation of these grants and the process of developing and delivering them, it is crucial for Defra to receive input and views from those who have been through the development and delivery process. As you have first-hand experience of developing and delivering tree planting grants or support, we are particularly interested in your thoughts and opinions.
If I participate, what is my data going to be used for?
The information shared in interviews and focus groups will be (this might involve looking at patterns in the verbal responses using specialist software) aggregated and anonymised. This will then be used by the team to write a report which will make recommendations on what worked well, for whom and in what context, in terms of the grants and support delivered via the Nature for Climate Tree Planting Programme. This report will be sent to Defra and eventually made publicly available. We may also publish academic articles using the data. Anonymised data may be kept indefinitely and used for future research.
All data will be stored on encrypted, password protected computers and on the University of Gloucestershire Sharepoint or Teams site. For more information on how the research team manages personal data, please read the CCRI Research Participants Privacy Notice.
The Forestry Commission, Community Forests, Woodland Trust, National Forest Company, Great Northumberland Forest and Forest for Cornwall will not share any personal data with Defra, CCRI or ADAS.
Do I have to take part?
No – participation is voluntary. It is entirely up to you whether you decide to participate. You can stop taking part at any time and choose not to answer a question.
How can withdraw my information?
You can withdraw your interview responses or contribution to a focus group for up to two weeks after taking part. Please email agoodenough@ccri.ac.uk if you wish to remove your responses within this timeframe.
You also have the right to access any personal data and the right to rectify, block or delete it in case the data is inaccurate or incomplete. If you shared personal data in order to take part in the interview or focus group (such as email address) and you want to verify which personal data is being stored to enable you to take part, and have it modified, corrected or deleted, please email agoodenough@ccri.ac.uk. We aim to follow up your request within two weeks, but this may be extended to one month where necessary. You will be informed of any such extension within 2 weeks of receipt of the request, together with the reasons for the delay.
Who has reviewed this research for ethical clearance?
The research has been granted approval from the University of Gloucestershire Ethics Committee and steps have been taken to ensure the interviews and focus groups (and the wider project) fully comply with the necessary personal data management procedures in place at the University (more info: https://www.glos.ac.uk/research/research-ethics).
What if I have any questions / concerns?
Please email the project lead Dr Julie Urquhart (jurquhart1@glos.ac.uk). Alternatively, please contact the Chair of the University of Gloucestershire Research Ethics Committee (Prof Matt Reed mreed@glos.ac.uk).
Please save a copy of this information sheet for your future reference.
Informed Consent Form
Evaluation of Tree Grants and Support as part of Defra’s Nature for Climate Tree Planting Programme
In order to participate you must complete an online consent form. You can do this by clicking HERE. You will be asked the following and will also need to provide your name:
| 1 | I have received enough information about this study to make an informed decision to participate |
| 2 | I understand that participation is voluntary and that I may stop taking part at any time or choose not to answer a question about my experiences. |
| 3 | I understand that my responses will be anonymised in any reporting. |
| 4 | I understand I can ask for my contribution to the survey to be withdrawn for up to two weeks after taking part. |
| 5 | I agree to take part in the above study. |
| 6 | I agree that data collected as part of this study may be retained and stored securely by the research team for use in future research and publication on relevant topics |
Debrief
Many thanks for taking part in this research. We really appreciate your time.
As explained, you have up to 14 days from today to withdraw your responses to the survey and you don’t have to give a reason. To withdraw, please email Alice: agoodenough@glos.ac.uk
If you have any concerns, please email the project lead Dr Julie Urquhart (jurquhart1@glos.ac.uk). Alternatively, please contact the Chair of the University of Gloucestershire Research Ethics Committee (Prof Matt Reed mreed@glos.ac.uk).
If sharing your experiences as part of this study has caused you any distress you can find support for your mental health through speaking to a crisis helpline – more information below.
Thank you once again for your participation in the research.
Crisis Helplines to support mental health https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health
Find a local urgent mental health crisis helpline: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline
Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
