What We Do
We provide advice to our clients that enables greater understanding of why people do and don’t behave in a certain way, whether it be eating an apple rather than a chocolate bar, taking a walk in nature rather than sitting on the couch watching TV, choosing regenerative agriculture that plants trees and grows cover crops, rather than chopping them down and leaving the earth bare, or, using kind positive handling techniques rather than hitting animals to get them to comply. Behavioural science can help us to understand why people do what they do, and why other people do or don’t do what they do.
With our expertise in research, and developing effective and innovative community engagement programmes, we provide experience and knowledge of how to design and facilitate the process of change in order to deliver positive impact. Human Behaviour Change for Life (HBCL) provides a channel to utilise behavioural science in a way that works with the individual, community or organisation seeking to support change, which is practical, accessible, easy, and effective.
Working Together
We have supported organisations throughout the world – from Romania to Cambodia – to apply the science of behaviour change to their work. Driven by a passion for sustainable change for the better, we work with you to deliver projects that consider the human element. We provide bespoke solutions, support, input, or implementation at any stage of your project as described in the tabs below.
The principles and theories of human behaviour change are used within our consultancy work, which includes research, education, training, community engagement and development, campaigning, communications, policy, advocacy, project design, strategy development and so much more.
HBCL is growing fast from its origins as a small organisation comprising of just two Directors in 2017, to a much larger core team with increased capacity to carry out projects of any size. We operate internationally with a growing team of specialists that draw on wide-ranging expertise and skills, including academics and practitioners working in several sectors. We provide clients with actionable advice and support to understand human behaviour and apply the principles of behaviour change to their work.
If you are potentially interested in engaging our services, please get in touch or if you are raring to go then fill in our briefing form and we can discuss your requirements.
“Behaviour change science has so much to offer, from providing frameworks to help you collect and analyse data and facilitating your understanding of why something is happening, to helping you design and implement effective interventions to address it.”
Jo Hockenhull, HBCL Specialist
Strategy & Preparation
We can help with the planning stage of projects to ensure that strategic HBC principles are incorporated right from the beginning within your budget.
Just a few examples of our work include:
- 2021-22: We worked on two projects about improving grassland management with an organisation in the farm animal sector. One project reviewed work in grassland management incorporating behaviour change science to date and provided recommendations and guidance for next steps that would enable the organisation to incorporate human behaviour change principles into their work. The second project focussed on developing a strategic plan to engaging farmers in improving grassland management using an innovative co-creation approach.
- 2021: We designed a survey for a farming organisation to act as a baseline for their new project; it focussed on understanding current behaviours, barriers, opportunities, and other elements of the topic.
- 2020: We worked with an international animal welfare organisation developing a plan for a new potential campaign in an area new to that organisation.
- 2019: PDSA – We helped with planning early stages of a campaign informed by human behaviour change science.
- 2019: International Cat Care (ICC) - strategic support regarding communications.
“Working with the HBCA/L team provides the opportunity to take part in diverse, pragmatic projects alongside an experienced team of professionals. It has been exciting working with professionals from diverse backgrounds and with difference areas of expertise, all utilised at different areas of a project. Projects are always carried out flexibly and thoughtfully, with an emphasis on the initial foundations (including research) and monitoring and evaluation of outcomes; two areas which are often overlooked, but of the utmost importance.”
Tamzin Furtado, HBCL Specialist
Research
We’re able to design and carry out different types of research whether you need compelling facts and figures or powerful themes, quotes, and stories, we can help to create a method that will provide you with what you need to take your work further.
Just a few examples of our work include:
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- 2022: We conducted a mixed-methods study into the barriers and enablers regarding litter picking as a family activity.
- 2019: We conducted a mixed-methods research project with The Brooke into understanding why donkey owners in several locations in Kenya whip their donkeys.
“When considering a conservation or welfare issue having a better understanding of the people that are involved; from the communities directly affected to the scientists choosing what to study and even the people who donate money to funds can guide more effective interventions to create real change."
Kayna Prescott, HBCL Specialist
Designing the Intervention
We draw on our track record and experience regarding designing interventions to create an innovative plan. It is important that interventions are evidence-based and that measuring change and impact is intrinsic in the project design.
An example of our work:
- 2021-22: We worked on a project about improving grassland management with an organisation in the farm animal sector; we developed a strategic plan to engage farmers in improving grassland management using an innovative co-creation approach.
- 2021: Canal & River Trust: we undertook an impact assessment of a community programme and provided detailed recommendations regarding interventions.
“Using behaviour change approaches means that everyone feels like they play a part, they have control and ownership, and this means lasting, sustainable changes which benefit people and animals."
Helen Lambert, HBCL Specialist
Testing and Piloting
We can help with the piloting and testing stages of your project.
An example of our work:
- 2021-22: We worked on a project about improving grassland management with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) we developed a strategic plan to engage farmers in improving grassland management using an innovative co-creation approach. This included testing messaging (visual and text) with the target audience.
- 2017-2022: Many of our projects include surveys, which we test thoroughly before dissemination to the target audience to ensure that they will provide the data we need to answer research questions.
Evaluating
It is vital to know whether or not your project is having the desired impact. We use our expertise to support organisations to develop their own plans for impact measurement or help directly with gathering and interpreting results using a variety of tried and tested approaches.
Our team can work with you in several ways from simply providing feedback about your project to all the stages outlined above. We are flexible and can deliver work that considers human behaviour without making assumptions
Just two examples of our work include:
- 2021-2022: We worked with the Canal & River Trust assessing the impact of their community activities programme.
- 2017: We worked with an international animal welfare organisation on several projects including the strategic assessment of one of their key programmes.
“If we can begin to shift the mindset away from symptom-based solutions to addressing root causes and recognise that people, and their attitudes and behaviours, are central to making the changes we’re seeking, then we’re well on our way to making a profound difference to the lives of countless animals, people and the planet.” –
Harry Eckman, HBCL Specialist
Facilitation
Should you, your team, or a group of wider stakeholders need the support of an independent facilitator we can help, whether it be brainstorming, strategic planning or facilitating delicate discussions.
Just two examples of our work include:
- 2019: Strangles Symposium – We facilitated a multi-stakeholder group needing to look at and develop a strategy that helped them to move from understanding the problem to recommendations for solutions.
- 2018-2021: We facilitated regular meetings between multiple stakeholders working together on an international issue that incorporated elements of welfare and trade.
Capacity Building and Training
We recognise that there are times when organisations need more hands-on-deck to deliver HBC projects or seek to develop the skills and knowledge of their teams in this area. We can provide support when and where it is needed through tailored solutions to meet your needs.
Just some examples of our work include:
- 2022: We helped an international animal welfare organisation to map their current activities, stakeholders, influencers, barriers, and opportunities regarding two key areas of their work on the overarching topic of domestic animal welfare.
- 2021-22: We worked on two projects about improving grassland management with an organisation in the farm animal sector. One project reviewed work in grassland management incorporating behaviour change science to date and provided recommendations and guidance for next steps that would enable the organisation to incorporate human behaviour change principles into their work. The second project focussed on developing a strategic plan to engage farmers in improving grassland management using an innovative co-creation approach.
- 2021-2022: The Brooke - training over 20 staff across 7 country projects on ‘communications for change’.
- 2021: The Brooke – work on a project exploring the supply and demand of farriery services with teams across the organisation.
- 2020-2022: National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) – training equine rehoming officers in communicating effectively with horse owners. We are also involved in the development of a Theory of Change for the work this group does with the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller members of the community.
- 2019: International Cat Care (ICC) - strategic support regarding communications.
- 2018, 2019, 2021: Blue Cross - training equine welfare officers in managing difficult conversations.
- 2018: Humane Society International (HSI) - bespoke organisational training including involving stakeholders, and strategic planning, implementation, and impact assessment.
- 2018: Sankalpa - Farm animal sector, bespoke training in ‘being heard’.
- 2016-2022: We have run various bespoke training sessions, webinars and talks for many professional groups and organisations including, but not limited to, the following: Cats Protection, Blue Cross, Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Counsellors (FABC), NC3Rs, Vet Sustain, Animal Welfare Research Network, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, XLVets, PDSA, Writtle Agricultural College, Hartpury College, Association of Dog and Cat Homes, Bear Care Network, Four Paws, Humane Society International, several veterinary conferences and more. Between them, the two Co-Directors lecture for the University of Edinburgh on the following courses: Clinical Animal Behaviour Master’s Degree; the MSc in International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law course and the MSc in Equine Behaviour and Welfare.
- We have designed several relevant online courses, which are sold through our learning platform including a four-part course 'Thinking strategically and developing a strategy for your organisation' and ‘Introduction to Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation' and ‘Practical ways of tackling the obesity challenges in companion animals and equines’.
“The goal of strategic planning is to produce a stream of wise decisions... it also accepts the possibility that the final product may not resemble what was initially intended.”