The studies we've funded
Learn more about the studies we've funded over the years, and what
Projects that families can take part in
We only promote research studies to families if we believe they are relevant to, or closely associated with, our work. Whilst we do ask for proof of ethical approval, we are not involved in running these studies and they may not be funded by The Lullaby Trust, so any questions you have should be directed to the study contacts below.
The Quintet Study: families’ experiences and needs after sudden and unexpected death in children
Researchers from the University of Southampton are investigating how losing a child suddenly and unexpectedly changes the lives of families. They are speaking to parents across the country to understand what care and support families need, to hear about their experiences of any investigations that take place, and to understand how family life unfolds in the years that follow. What families say will help shape better care for families in the future. There are two ways to get involved:
Interview study
If you are you a parent living in England or Wales who has lost a child suddenly and unexpectedly between the ages of 0 to 18 years, and your child died between one and five years ago, would you be able to spare an hour to have a conversation online or telephone? If you are aged over 13 years living in England or Wales and have lost a brother or sister suddenly and unexpectedly between the ages of 0 to 18 years, between one and five years ago, would you be willing to talk to us? The interview is completely confidential. To find out more, contact via the contact details below.
National survey
If you are a parent or grandparent living in the UK who has lost a child suddenly and unexpectedly between the age of 0 – 30 years, and your child died over nine months ago, would you be happy to complete a confidential survey? Parents can take part by clicking here. Grandparents can click here. If you are a sibling aged over 13 years who has lost a brother or sister suddenly and unexpectedly between the age of 0 – 30 years over nine months ago, you can take part in the survey by clicking here.
Contact details: Dr David Wright – [email protected]; phone, text or message 07500 920784, or visit the study website.
Uncovering hidden inequality: developing new ways of doing death administration
The University of Manchester are conducting a study in collaboration with the National Bereavement Service which aims to explore how people experience death administration in the UK context, with a focus on hidden inequalities and how the process can be improved.
They are currently recruiting participants to take part in two surveys, one with those who are bereaved and one with professionals who are involved in death administration as part of their role. They want to hear from a wide range of people from different backgrounds and experience of different kinds of death administration, including professionals and bereaved families who have experienced sudden and unexpected death.
The ChildBone Study
The ChildBone Study, based at The University of Sheffield, in collaboration with Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, is working to revolutionise how children’s bones are studied.
The ChildBone study is trying to understand more about how children’s bones grow and how they might be affected by things like low vitamin D or other health conditions. Sometimes, these changes in bone strength and property aren’t visible on X-rays, so researchers need to look more closely at the bone tissue itself. For this study, the team will take two small samples from the ribs. Each sample would be about 3 to 4 centimetres long, and they would be used for mechanical testing to understand the material properties of the rib bones. The aim is to test the bone’s strength and structure, which could help us understand how children’s bones respond to different conditions, with different vitamin D levels. They will also build a database of different types of children’s bones. These virtual bones (or digital twins) will be used to predict fracture and study the effect of material properties on the strength of bone virtually (without actually breaking them). This knowledge could help improve care for other children in the future.
Families will be recruited for this study exclusively through coronial cases referred to the Sheffield Children’s Hospital, however if you are interested in supporting this project as part of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), please contact Dr Xinshan Li on [email protected].
Discover more
Our achievements
Discover the impact of the research we've funded, and the campaigns that were developed because of that research, saving and changing lives.