The SHINE Project: Understanding Children's Health and Wellbeing

Understanding Children’s Health and Wellbeing

We’re exploring how children’s health and wellbeing are shaped by their daily experiences, families, and communities. By hearing directly from children and their parents or carers, we hope to understand how to better support children’s mental and physical wellbeing across England.

The SHINE Study is only open to parents and children in Year 6 in some parts of the country and this website contains study information for parents who may be invited to take part or whose children may be invited to take part (participant information and consent forms are available at the bottom of this page).

The SHINE Project is a research study led by University College London (UCL) in collaboration with Durham University and Newcastle University, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Why this research matters

Your contribution helps us understand how children feel about their health, activity, eating habits, and body image, and how family circumstances play a role. The findings will be shared with policymakers, schools, and local authorities to help improve resources, services, and programmes that support children and families like yours.

Important note

This page is for information only.
If your child’s school is taking part in the SHINE Project, you will receive all necessary details and consent forms directly from the school.
You do not need to register or sign up here.
You can return to this page at any time to review study information or download documents.

Two ways to take part

1. For Year 6 Children (Ages 10-11)

What’s involved:

A short 20-minute online survey completed at school.
Questions about mental wellbeing, eating, physical activity, and feelings about body size and shape.
None of the questions are desgined to detect mental or physical healh conditions.
The same survey completed again after a few weeks.
An information sheet provided after the second survey explaining what was asked and why.

Important:
Taking part is completely voluntary. Your child’s teacher will explain the study, and children can decide whether they want to take part. They can stop at any time.

If you do not want your child to take part, you’ll receive details from your school about how to opt out.

2. For Parents and Carers

What’s involved:

A short online or paper survey about you and your child (for children in Reception or Year 6).
Questions about your child’s wellbeing, eating, activity, and household background.
It can be completed on a phone, tablet, or computer.

Bonus: You’ll also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 shopping vouchers in your local authority area.

Your Privacy and Data Protection

We take your privacy seriously.

All information is stored securely in UCL’s Data Safe Haven, which meets NHS data-security standards.

Personal details are removed and replaced with anonymous codes.
No one will be able to identify you or your child in any reports or publications.
You can withdraw your data at any time until 1 December 2026.