‘I’m beyond stressed’: Trends in online conversations about poverty and social care

This report is the eighth instalment of a research project that provides insights into the experiences of people living in financial hardship through an analysis of discussions in online support spaces. It is the first installment of a series of three waves of research throughout 2026, with each wave deep diving into a different policy area. Its analysis is based on an innovative combination of computational, quantitative, and fine-grained qualitative data analysis.

The deep dive focus for this wave is social care. This topic was chosen to shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by care recipients and providers, building on previous research by Demos and JRF.

The report contributes to Demos’ work on Public Service Reform: by forefronting the lived experiences of those who rely on public services, we aim to enable more relational public services that can empower communities, support the vulnerable, and prevent problems. It adds to a growing evidence base on how the relationship between citizens and the British state is breaking down. In doing so, it strengthens Demos’ urgent call for a New Deal between state and citizen that is built on trust and respect. The wider Social Listening project also informs our work on the Citizen Economy and Everyday Democracy.

The Social Listening project contributes to JRF’s Insight Infrastructure programme, which uses data-driven research to improve knowledge and understanding of people and communities experiencing hardship, poverty and related issues.