Vital Signs
What is Vital Signs?
In order to respond and support the needs of communities across South Yorkshire, we produce and publish our detailed Vital Signs report every three years. The research provides a thought-provoking snapshot into the current facts and priorities that need to be addressed to increase the strength, resilience and growth of the region.
This report is not a moment in time, but a piece of research that enables long-term targeted support to our communities most in need.
South Yorkshire's Top Priorities for Action
The top four priorities for action detailed in our 2024 Vital Signs report demonstrate the interlinking nature of society’s biggest problems and how a coordinated effort from all stakeholders is needed to effect change.
Listening to communities across South Yorkshire through community surveys, focus groups and using a combination of local knowledge and official research data to measure the vitality of a community, the four needs have been identified as:
Focusing on the top four priorities, we are able to use the Vital Signs research to direct targeted interventions to communities and issues where they are most needed.
Our Response
Stepping Up: Building a Safer Community
The 2024 Vital Signs research highlighted the pressing need for community-driven solutions to address crime and antisocial behaviour. In response to the findings, we're creating the Stepping Up: Building a Safer Community grants programme.
The funding will support community organisations and charities seeking to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour within their communities.
Moving On Up
Following the 2021 Vital Signs report, we launched a dedicated multi-year programme to tackle employment and employability issues for people aged 14 to 30, titled 'Moving On Up'. The themed programme aimed to inspire the next generation through increasing the opportunities through which to gain valuable skills and break down barriers to employment. You can read more about this here.
2024 Report
South Yorkshire's Vital Signs Report 2024
(PDF, 18.3 MB)
2024 Vital Signs event photos
Previous Vital Signs Reports
South Yorkshire’s Vital Signs Report 2021
(PDF, 8.38 MB)
South Yorkshire’s Vital Signs Report 2019
(PDF, 6.4 MB)
South Yorkshire’s Vital Signs Report 2018
(PDF, 1.83 MB)
South Yorkshire‘s Vital Signs Report 2017
(PDF, 4.78 MB)
Contact Us
If you would like to know more about our Vital Signs reports, please get in touch with our Philanthropy Coordinator, Rachael.
Meet Rachael
Rachael coordinates the delivery of philanthropic activities, working collaboratively within different teams, community groups and donors to bring about exciting new opportunities. She is also head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for the Foundation as well as overseeing South Yorkshire’s Giving Network. Her working days are Monday to Friday.
Rachael Farrell
Philanthropy Coordinator
Rachael Farrell's LinkedIn page