YRN Research Reports

The YRN research reports not only show the importance of young people in setting the research agenda and leading the research process, but also in some cases provide clear recommendations for changes in policy and practice. The YRN hopes that these reports are just the first in a series of reports led ‘by’ or ‘with’ young people focused on positively improving the outcomes for young people.

The completed research reports are available to download:

Barnardo's Research Report – ‘East Meets West’ - The young researchers are part of Barnardo’s Kirklees Khandaani Dhek Bhal Service, based in Kirkless. The purpose of this research is to help local services in Kirklees support South Asian young people as well as inform practice regionally and nationally. The research aim is to capture the experience of living with a ‘double identity’ so that the specific needs of South Asian young people can be better understood and therefore met by professionals.

• Just Ask! Young Researcher Network Evaluation - Birmingham Association of Youth Clubs (BAYC) has supported a group of young researchers called ‘Just Ask’ to conduct their research on disability and identity. The report available here is an evaluation of the research process that they undertook with the group. BAYC have also presented their findings as a DVD to get a copy of the DVD contact BAYC directly >>

• Have Your Say Research Report – North Tyneside – ‘How Looked After Children are Involved in their Review Process’ - Have your Say is a group of looked after young people based in North Tyneside. Their research looks at the involvement of young people in their review process and makes practical practice recommendations.
• Investing in Children Research Report – Durham – ‘How effective are young people’s health liaison officers and why are they needed in our local NHS trust?’ Investing in Children Research Based in Durham, young researchers from Investing in Children have explored the effectiveness and demand for a health liaison officer for young people.
• Making the lives of young people in care better - Bradford Youth Service report (GLUW) - As young people looked the young researchers are keen to improve the level of support that young people receive. Their research provides an insight into the current experiences of education, advice and support for young people in care and makes significant recommendations based upon their findings.
• NCB Research Report – ‘Media Portrayal of Young People – impact and influences’ - This research explores what young people and journalists think about the media representation of young people. Their findings suggest that young people feel frustrated with being misrepresented and that the representation of largely negative stories is commercially driven.
• The Pencol Divas Research Report – Pengwern College – Mencap - Young researchers explored the students’ options to socialise on campus, especially in relation to choice. Their research has a particular emphasis upon ensuring effective communication strategies, using pictorial symbols.
• Somerset Youth Volunteering Network Research Report - Young researchers have researched how young people think they are perceived by other members of the community and how the role of volunteering may impact upon this.
• Signpost’s Young Person Stakeholders Group Research Report – Morecambe – ‘Are They Bovvard’ - Young researchers have researched positive activities for young people in the West End area of Morecambe, following significant redevelopment of the area. Specifically they have compared the views of local policy makers and local young people, they argue for the increased involvement of young people in planning regeneration of the area.
• UKYP Research Report - After Wagon Time [Please note: this is a 9MB document so may take sometime to download.] UK Youth Parliament has supported a group of young Gypsies and Travellers to research their families’ experiences of changes in identity and culture over the last 40 years. This was to raise awareness of similarities and differences in culture between generations as well as between various Gypsy and Traveller groups.
• UK Youth Voice Research Report - The young researchers wanted to capture young people’s opinions about the way they are represented and also what they think they can do to influence the media and its representation of young people.
• IARS (Independent Academic Research Studies) – Research Report - Young People's Hate Crime Project - Young people have researched the opinions of young people in relation to restorative justice and hate crime. They compared findings across the three geographical areas of London, Liverpool and Bradford.
• Chilypep – (North Sheffield Youth Forum) Research Report - Chilypep – (North Sheffield Youth Forum) have produced research that presents young people’s views on the impact of alcohol in the North Sheffield area. They have produced a set of recommendations regarding, information for young people, activities and services for young people and listening to and involving young people.
• 'Kids' Young Researchers Project Report - YP-in young researcher’s project report provides guidance on how to involve and develop young disabled people aged 16-25 research skills.
• 'Ethnicity' Research Report - ‘Ethnicity 2009’ research report examines the barriers and drivers of young people from black minority ethnic groups (BME) accessing sexual health services.
• "Child Poverty in the City of York" -  Young Researchers working with the City of York Council are working to produce a strategy to tackle child poverty and meet thenational aim to eradicate child poverty by 2020. This research investigates child poverty in York, to see what would have
  the most benefi t for young people in poverty and allow them the have the best outcomes in life.

YRN repository

The YRN wants your research reports.  We archive high quality young people led research reports making them able to be seen and easily accessible for young research groups, policy makers, commissioners and other interested parties.  Email your report along with details of your organisation. Research DVDs can also be submitted by posting them to the NYA.  

If you have been involved in youth led research that you would like the YRN to showcase contact the team >>