We begin with the decision, service, strategy or investment the research needs to inform, and not simply with a survey.

We agree who needs to be involved and recruit young people with the relevant relationships, knowledge and lived experience.

Young researchers are trained in research methods, ethics, consent, data protection, safeguarding, interviewing, facilitation and safe working.

Young people help shape the questions, methods, language and places where the research will happen.

The team conducts fieldwork through the methods best suited to the audience and the decision.

Young researchers help analyse patterns, add context and identify what the findings mean.

We produce clear outputs and support young people to present recommendations to the people who can act on them.

Community Regen trained six young people from Hackney as peer researchers. They carried out interviews and surveys at youth groups, community events and other places across the borough, and one young researcher was trained to facilitate focus groups. The evidence was intended to inform future housing decisions and support investment in housing programmes.

Community Regen trained and paid twelve young community researchers. The team engaged more than 350 local people to assess the social impact of events and to gather views, ideas and suggestions for the Earl’s Court regeneration site.

Community Regen trained and paid six young people as peer researchers. They carried out one-to-one interviews, ran workshops in two adventure play centres and held focus groups in local schools to explore how proposed changes would affect young people.

Community Regen recruited and trained six resident researchers, five of whom carried out doorstep and street interviews. The work generated 146 responses, followed by a community event, further survey work and a focus group. The evidence fed into Curo’s Resident Engagement Plan.

Resident researchers were recruited and trained to use door knocking, street interviews and telephone interviews. They gathered 78 resident responses, with a further ten responses from partner organisations. The findings informed the housing association’s Investment Strategy.

Seven resident researchers carried out street and doorstep interviews, generating 213 responses. Community research was combined with service mapping, stakeholder interviews and workshops to inform the West Hendon Neighbourhood Investment Strategy.

Seven residents were recruited, trained and paid to conduct the research; their training was accredited by Barnet and Southgate College. The project completed 402 street and doorstep interviews, alongside partner and resident focus groups involving 38 people. The results informed the work of the Grahame Park Strategy Group.

Community Regen trained and paid six community researchers. They supported community conversations with 364 residents, 14 one-to-one interviews and a partner survey involving 38 local organisations and groups. The evidence was used to support development of the Greenwich Get Active Physical Activity and Sports Strategy.