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Why an Age 56 Survey?

We’ve followed your journey from the very beginning, tracking how your lives have changed over this time.   In this next survey we’re keen to hear about your relationships with family and friends, as well as support you might be giving others. This period can also be a turning point for people’s health, which can have an impact on […]

What does the survey involve?

The survey will be completed online and will cover topics such as home life, relationships, housing, finances, health and wellbeing, leisure activities and attitudes.   There will also be a couple of questions that ask you to reflect on the past and future in your own words. We will also ask you to complete a memory exercise which will involve listening to a recording.  In all, […]

Who’s being invited to take part?

We will invite all study members to take part, including those living outside the UK, unless you have previously said that you no longer want to be included.  If you have not received an invite and you are expecting one, this could be because we don’t have your current contact details. Please do get in touch so we can check this.  

When will I receive my invite?

We often take a phased approach to invites – sending them out in batches. For this latest survey, some people will be contacted in late June 2026, for others it will be September or October when you hear from us.  

How long will it take?

The online questionnaire will take around 50 minutes.  The problem-solving tasks take around 25 minutes in total, though this may vary slightly depending on your pace and circumstances. Each individual task takes around 2–3 minutes. You can take breaks between tasks if needed and return to where you left off using your login details or the link […]

How do I access the questionnaire online?

You will receive an invite by email and in the post. Once you get this, you can either click on the link in your email or you can go to the survey website (mysurvey.natcen.ac.uk/cohortstudy) and enter your personal access code from your invite.  You will be asked to enter your date of birth and then you […]

What should I do if I cannot access the questionnaire link online?

If you have any problems taking part online, please contact the NatCen research team by email at bcs70@natcen.ac.uk or on 0800 526 397 between 9am to 7pm on Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm on Friday, 10am to 3pm on Saturday (free from UK landlines and mobiles, charges may apply outside the UK).

Can I complete the questionnaire on my smartphone?

Yes, you can complete the questionnaire on a smartphone as well as PC, laptop or tablet – whichever is most convenient for you.   For the problem-solving tasks, you can use any device but we would recommend completing them using one with a larger screen, if possible, like a laptop or iPad. 

Can I pause the questionnaire and return to it later?

Yes. Your answers are saved automatically as you go, so you can pause and return at any time using the same login details. You will not lose any progress if you close your browser or your device runs out of battery. However, if possible, we recommend completing it in one sitting if you can.   You […]

Do I have to take part online?

We hope most of you will be able to complete the questionnaire online, but we know this may not be possible for everyone. If you are unable to access a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone, if a health condition or disability makes it difficult to use these devices, or if you simply prefer not to take part online, please do not […]