Empathy-centred insight for health, wellbeing & social equity

Research & Strategy from Amanda Powell

Building a healthier, more inclusive society – with charities, foundations & health brands

I’m Amanda Powell, a freelance Researcher, Strategist, and Campaigner with 15 years’ experience driving impact in health and social inequalities across non-profit and commercial sectors.

I’ve partnered with leading organisations — including the Mental Health Foundation, Age UK, the World Health Organization, IKEA and Unilever —to design campaigns, strategies, and programmes that build healthier, more equal communities.

Feeling well should never be a luxury, yet too often, health is seen as an individual or moral issue, ignoring the social and environmental factors that shape it.

Grounded in Lived Experience research, I help organisations see the bigger picture, tackle complex challenges, and co-create solutions with the most impacted audiences.

Learn how I can help your organisation create change today

What I do

  • Good social research isn’t just about asking questions, it’s about deeply understanding people’s lives, experiences, and the systems that shape them. In working on sensitive social issues, is about understanding context, body language and centring ethical implications in design.

    With a background in Sociology and Social Research Methods and 15 years’ experience in qualitative research, I specialise in inclusive and creative methodologies that uncover rich, actionable insights, ensuring the voices of marginalised and underrepresented communities are truly heard.

    I’ve led in-depth research on complex wellbeing issues with:

    • Lower-income families & older people

    • LGBTQIA+ communities

    • Young people with mental health & neurodiversity challenges

    • People with physical disabilities

    Research methods include:

    • Ethnography (digital & in-person)

    • Co-creation workshops

    • Discussion groups & in-depth interviews

    • Cultural intelligence research

    • Expert interviews

    • Digital communities & panels

    Every project is bespoke, designed to fit your brief.

    Where needed, I collaborate with a trusted network of specialists in quantitative research, data science, AI, and academia to provide a full-spectrum research approach.

    ➡ Let’s build research that leads to real change. Get in touch at amanda@amanda-powell.com

  • Great insights require great execution. I help organisations translate research into clear, actionable strategies that drive impact.

    Core strategic services include:

    • Campaign & Communications Strategy – Designing compelling, insight-led campaigns

    • Narrative Change – Shifting perceptions and influencing public conversations

    • Brand Strategy & Positioning – Defining purpose and strengthening identity

    • Stakeholder & Donor Engagement – Crafting strategies to mobilise support

    • Innovation – Developing new approaches to complex challenges

    With experience spanning commercial, non-profit, and movement-building work, I bring a blended strategic perspective. My early career at Flamingo, one of the world’s leading insight-led strategy agencies, sharpened my ability to solve diverse business and social challenges. Later, as a Senior Strategist at Purpose, I focused on creating campaigns that don’t just communicate but build real movements.

    I also work in-house with agencies as a freelance Strategy Director, providing senior support and training.

    ➡ Let’s discuss how strategic thinking can amplify your impact. Click here to book in a chat today

  • Effective campaigns don’t just speak - they connect, persuade, and drive action. I help health, wellbeing and social equity organisations craft messaging and strategies that resonate with audiences and create lasting impact.

    • Creative Idea Development & Testing – Refining campaign concepts based on real audience insights.

    • Messaging Strategy & Testing – Ensuring messages are clear, compelling, and aligned with audience values.

    • Campaign Strategy – Identifying the right audiences, messengers, channels, and KPIs to maximise effectiveness.

    Whether shaping public awareness campaigns, movement-building initiatives, or donor engagement strategies, my approach is always grounded in research and audience insight.

    ➡ Let’s create a campaign that moves people. Get in touch (here) to discuss your project

  • Great facilitation isn’t just about running a session, it’s about creating spaces where people feel held, voices are heard, ideas spark and meaningful co-creation happens.

    I have led hundreds of sessions, including:

    • Co-Creation Workshops – Bringing communities, stakeholders, and teams together to develop solutions collaboratively.

    • Focus Groups & Interviews – Guiding insightful discussions to uncover lived experiences and audience perspectives.

    • Training & Capacity Building – Equipping teams with the skills, confidence, and strategic thinking to create change.

    My approach is tailored to the room—whether working with C-suite leaders, grassroots organisers, or young people leaving foster care. As an accredited Unilever Gold Standard facilitator, I blend mindfulness, compassion, and a bit of fun to create sessions that are productive, inclusive, and energising.

    ➡ Let’s create a session that delivers real insight and impact. Get in touch (here) to discuss your facilitation needs.

Partnering with

  • Mental Health Foundation

  • Association of Charitable Foundations

  • Age UK

  • World Health Organization

  • The Care Leaver Covenant

  • IKEA

  • DIAGEO

  • Unilever Health

  • Freelance support for Agency clients

Health & Wellbeing Specialist

On issues including

  • UK Health Inequalities

  • Mental Wellbeing

  • Older Age

  • Youth Participation

  • Work and Wellbeing

  • Healthcare Branding

Research & Strategy Toolkit

audience insight

ethnography

narrative analysis

participatory co-creation workshops

digital communties

cultural intelligence

interviews + discussion groups

audience insight • ethnography • narrative analysis • participatory co-creation workshops • digital communties • cultural intelligence • interviews + discussion groups •

Client testimonials

Researching topics such as