When it comes to research, particularly health research, people often imagine people in white coats in laboratories and test tubes. While that may be true in some cases, it’s not the whole story. Health research is much broader than that.
So, a group of young people aged between 16-17 have been taking part in a programme to support them decide on their research and health priorities, and to develop health policy for the future.
Fifteen youngsters chose their own research topics, delving into issues such as vaping, vaccine hesitancy, menstrual health, and the fear of missing out (FoMo).
They interviewed people of their own age to gather their perspectives and presented the results using posters. These posters were then the basis for the Youth Jury, where the group of young people used their research to create 12 health priorities, they believe the government should address. Members of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board and Partnership joined the young people at the Jury to plan ways of making these priorities into policy shaping children and young people’s health and care services for the future.
Young researchers said:
“I liked being able to understand other people's thought process through the vast amount of discussions. I learnt that I love being able to connect with people emotionally (without making them uncomfortable).”
“It was really helpful to know what my rights were – if someone asked me that out of the blue, I wouldn't know what to say so it was nice to be made aware of them.”
The Young Researcher Training Programme (YRTP) is a 12-week initiative designed to develop research skills in young people, helping them to support their aspirations for the future. These critical research skills are often overlooked within the school curriculum, and the YRTP aims to help young people shape the health policies that directly affect their lives.
Naomi Leonard from the University of Southampton as part of the YRTP, said: “We feel that since policies are made about young people, they should be given an opportunity to have their say on the health priorities that were important to them.”
The young people have worked with the NHS Integrated Care Partnership (Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICP) who are in charge of planning NHS services in the region, to understand how health policies are decided.
Cara Black, research fellow with *NIHR ARC Wessex added: “The young people were really encouraged by the fact that the members of the ICP were taking them seriously. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Partnership should be congratulated for their commitment to seeing the young people’s recommendations turned into policy.”
In November, the Young Researchers will meet the assembly of the Integrated Care Partnership (Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICP) and present their recommendations for integration into policy.
Among the recommendations are:
· To increase youth engagement programmes in health and research
· To create freely accessible mental health assessments
· To both increase and improve the availability of culturally sensitive education and training for healthcare providers, parents, teachers and students.
· To decrease usage of vapes, e.g., through reduction/removal of vaping advertisements from off licenses / shop windows.
· To emphasise personal and social development in schools (not only focusing on academics)
Notes to editors:
The Young Researcher Training Programme falls under two research projects: Motivating and sustaining the engagement of young people in improving their health and that of their communities (Researchers call it MOTH), and Rebooting Democracy.
It is funded by jointly by the *National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex, University of Southampton, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:
Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.
NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.
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