This powerpoint gives an overview of a pilot youth participatory research project and offers suggestions for future participatory researchers.

1. YOUTH PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH
THE UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA AND NATIONAL YOUTH AGENCY

2. OVERVIEW
Who took part?
 Eight young people from across the UK
 Three staff from two different organisations; The
National Youth Agency and the University of
Cumbria
What time did we have together?
 15 x two hour sessions on zoom to learn about
and do research
 5 x two hour sessions on zoom to redesign the
materials for national use

3. STYLE OF RESEARCH
Research
on YP
Research
for YP
Research
with YP
Research
by YP
Staff supported young
people to design,
conduct, analyse, write
up and disseminate
their own research
projects.

4. OUTPUTS
 Two youth research reports; Learning in Lockdown and Young People’s Use of Green Space
 An evaluation of the pilot programme
 An NYA Young Researchers Network
 A suite of youth re-designed research materials for wider use
 Eight young people with young researcher accreditation.

5. EVALUATION RESULTS

6. CHART 1: EXTENT TO WHICH PROGRAMME MET EXPECTATIONS

7. CHART 2: SKILLS GAINED
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Communication
Listening
Problem Solving
Work Initiative
People Management
Leadership
Commercial Awareness
Decision Making
Determination/Drive
What skills do you think you have gained from this programme?

8. CHART 3: BEST THING ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

9. CHART 4: INCREASED RESEARCH CONFIDENCE

10. CHART 5: SATISFACTION WITH ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAMME

11. CHART SIX: LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT
57%29%
14%
How would you rate your involvement in this programme?
5 - Just right 6
7 8
9 10 - Too much

12. RECOMMENDATIONS
•YPAR takes time – ensure you have plenty of social and project time budgeted in
•Work face to face wherever possible – whilst online research development was possible it loaded additional issues and safeguarding protocols into the mix
•Use the right platforms for the group – this would be a good joint decision once the participants have got to know one another
•Give options for different ranges of engagement to individuals within the group, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach
•Use as wide a range of activities as possible to engage different learning styles
•Conduct regular review sessions so that you can address issues as the project progresses
•Provide time within the project for young people to complete any tasks needed for accreditation
•Utilise young research mentors to support the research of future young people.