Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Participation Survey is a continuous push-to-web survey of adults aged 16 and over in England. It serves as a successor to the Taking Part survey, which ran for 16 years as a continuous face to face survey. Paper surveys are available for those not digitally engaged. Fieldwork started in October 2021 and it is envisaged that the survey will be a key evidence source for Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and its sectors by providing statistically representative national estimates of adult engagement with the DCMS sectors. The survey’s main objectives are to: Provide a central, reliable evidence source that can be used to analyse cultural, digital, and sporting engagement, providing a clear picture of why people do or do not engage. Provide data at a county level to meet user needs, including providing evidence for the levelling up agenda. Underpin further research on driving engagement and the value and benefits of engagement.Further information on the survey can be found on the gov.uk Participation Survey webpage.

For 2024-2025 annual data the fieldwork period was from 10th April 2024 - 2nd April 2025. Participants in the survey are randomly selected from addresses from the Post Office’s list of addresses in England. This ensures results reflect the experiences and views of the whole population.

Main Topics:The Participation Survey collects data on engagement in: the arts libraries heritage museums and galleries tourism major cultural events major sporting events sport gambling digital sectors The survey includes information on frequency of participation, reasons for participating, barriers to participation and attitudes to the sectors. Information is also gathered on demographics (e.g. age, education), and related areas including wellbeing, loneliness, and use of digital technology.

Self-administered questionnaire: Paper

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)