The document outlines plans for a peer research programme between the Co-operative College and three partner organizations - Rochdale Mind, Woodcraft Folk, and an organization in Birkenhead. The programme aims to build a network of young people across different areas in the UK to conduct research on loneliness in their communities. Participants will receive training in research methods and skills development. The programme expects to produce reports sharing findings on loneliness, a replicable peer research model, and establish an ongoing network of young researchers.

1. Co-operative Foundation
Peer Research Programme
Co-operative College, Manchester
Dr Cilla Ross: VP Co-operative Education and Research
A.n Other (I hope)

2. The Co-operative College : who are we?
• A Charitable Incorporated
Organisation, shaped by our members
• Concerned with education, research
and co-operative capacity building
• Working with co-operative values and
principles since 1919
• Manchester based, globally relevant
• Working innovatively in existing and
emerging co-operative landscapes to
tackle 21st century challenges

3. Why us? Foundation Goals aligned with College
Strategic Pillars
Our key strategic priorities:
• Democracy and participation
• Young people and their futures
• Sustainable communities
• Co-operatives and Co-operators
• And cross cutting theme of Poverty, Gender
• Developing Co-operators (through learning and networking Schools and young people)
• Building Co-operative Capacity
• Advancing Co-operative Policy (through research and positioning Values drive: The role of co-operatives in challenging poverty, inequality and exclusion – poverty alleviation as well as wealth creation)
• Progressing Global Co-operation
Foundation Draft Goals
• Strengthen and champion the role of young people’s voices in shaping their communities
• Build a UK-wide network of partners, working and learning together to prevent the next generation from growing up lonely
• Stimulate new models of collaboration between communities, which can be adapted to tackle other 21st century challenges.

4. Our Partners: who are they?
• Rochdale Mind The Woodcraft Folk

5. Working together: national reach, global concerns
(Track records and why us?)
Rochdale
Mind
Co-
operative
College
Woodcraft
Folk
Diversity, democracy, equality
in all that we do.
Respect for young people co-operative
pedagogy and co-production
Committed to empowerment
through self responsibility and self
help
Belief in mutual benefit through
equitable partnership working
‘Listening’, flexible, open and
honest
Belief in care for the
community and sustainability
Expert and knowledgeable

6. Building the Peer Research Network
Rochdale Mind
(X participants)
Poorest city in the UK
according to JRF. High
incidence of mental
health issues
Birkenhead
(X participants)
Impoverished
white working
class area,
multiple
depravation
Woodcraft Folk (X
participants)
Manchester Chorlton
& Whalley Range 20%
BME, 40% additional
needs

7. Methodology and Skills Development
• Desk research and expert informed resources development (to inform the
decision making and critical reflection of peer research groups)
• Identification and engagement of peer research programme
participants by partners ensuring representativeness, diversity and
inclusion
• ‘Learn and share’: upskilling workshops and ongoing mentoring on
critical reflection; identifying research themes and approaches;
research methods; working with peers; recording, prioritising and
presenting findings; managing projects – including devolved budgets
• Co-created reporting and dissemination outputs

8. Making it work
• Strong synergies and networking between experienced and
knowledgeable partners
• Empathetic facilitation, co-ordination and support for peer working
across all areas
• Research mentoring; high quality, creative outputs
• Inclusive and robust monitoring and evaluation processes
• Motivational activities for participants such as presenting at the Co-
operative College Conference and organising the dissemination event
• Focus on network building between peers and their groups for
friendship, mutual support, and further collaborations

9. Outputs: enhancing our understanding;
sustaining the network
• Reporting and voice revealing the hidden, diverse and complex
experiences, narratives and histories of loneliness
• A scaleable, replicable peer research sharing and learning model and
methodology framed by co-operative pedagogy and values
• Three ‘loneliness’ outputs and a co-produced project evaluation
presenting new knowledge on loneliness and project methodology
and process.
• A solidarity network of upskilled young people excited about ‘next
steps’