Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26: Key Heritage Insights

The Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26 explores how individuals in England engage with their communities, culture, and heritage. Initiated in October 2025, this survey replaced the previous Participation Survey and Community Life Survey, targeting those aged 16 and over.

Survey Coverage and Data Collection

The Community and Engagement Survey runs continuously, collecting insights at a national, regional, and local authority level. The primary data collection period spanned from October 2025 to March 2026, but some data were also captured via the Participation Survey between April and September 2025.

Geographic and Demographic Insights

This comprehensive survey provides breakdowns by various demographics and regions across England. It is worth noting that analogous surveys exist in other UK regions, with data available in the Scottish Household Survey, the National Survey for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Continuous Household Survey.

Transition from Previous Surveys

October 2025 marked the transition to the Community and Engagement Survey. This change enabled a broader perspective on cultural and community interactions. It allows responses on how citizens engage with media, sports, and cultural events within their locales.

Guidelines and Standards

Administered by the DCMS, the survey aligns with the Code of Practice for Statistics, overseen by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). These standards emphasize trust, quality, and value, ensuring the data remains reliable.

Pre-Release Access

Access to the survey data is tightly regulated. Select ministers and officials received early access, limited to a 24-hour period prior to public release, ensuring all procedures adhere to best practices.

Future Releases and Contact Information

The next dataset release is scheduled for September 2026, covering data from April to June 2026. For further details or queries, the responsible analyst is Dea Begaj, reachable via [email protected].

Additional Resources

To delve deeper into the survey findings or view supplementary documents, stakeholders can visit the dedicated section on the DCMS website. Comments and feedback regarding statistical standards can be directed to [email protected] or via the OSR website.

This survey provides an essential tool for understanding how people across England interact with cultural heritage and their communities, offering valuable insights for policymakers and cultural organizations.