Research

We believe that research should be practical, inclusive, and directly led by the needs of young people and the people who support them. It shouldn’t live in ivory towers or behind paywalls—it should sit at the heart of how services are designed, decisions are made, and lives are improved.

Our research explores new ways of understanding and supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Whether we’re developing an entirely new programme or evaluating an existing one, we do it in collaboration—with schools, youth services, families, and most importantly, young people themselves.

What Makes Our Research Different?

  • Lived Experience First
    Young people and families help shape every stage of the research journey—from the questions we ask to how we interpret the answers. Their voices aren’t an ‘add-on’; they’re essential.

  • Applied & Accessible
    We focus on research that has a practical use. Whether it’s a small pilot or a larger study, our goal is to improve everyday experiences, not just publish papers.

  • Inclusive by Design
    We actively involve people from underrepresented communities, including those who are neurodivergent, disabled, LGBTQ+, or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

  • Collaborative
    We work across sectors and disciplines, blending ideas from youth work, education, psychology, social care, and beyond. Research is better when it’s shared.

What We Research

Our areas of focus evolve over time, based on what young people tell us matters most. Recent and ongoing themes include:

🧠 Mental Health in Everyday Settings

How can schools, families, and communities provide better day-to-day emotional support?
We’ve explored practical ways to reduce anxiety, build resilience, and improve emotional literacy without always needing formal therapy.

🧩 Neurodiversity-Inclusive Approaches

We work with autistic young people, those with ADHD, sensory processing differences, and learning difficulties to co-create supports that respect their unique experiences.

Our research asks:

  • What helps in classrooms?

  • What doesn’t work in traditional services?

  • How can systems adapt—not just individuals?

🌱 Early Intervention & Prevention

Catching issues early can change the course of a young person’s life. We explore low-pressure, low-cost interventions—like nature-based sessions, creative expression, and digital peer support—and how they can reduce the need for crisis-level services.

🗣 Voice, Identity & Belonging

Mental health is deeply linked to identity and environment. Our research looks at how gender, culture, language, and community experiences shape how young people understand and express their mental health needs.

How We Do It

We use a wide range of methods to gather insight, always choosing the approach that best fits the question and the people involved. This might include:

  • Focus groups and interviews

  • Youth-led peer research

  • Creative or visual methods (e.g. drawings, storytelling, video diaries)

  • Surveys and questionnaires

  • Observational studies and practice-based evidence

  • Pilots and feasibility studies

  • Mixed-method evaluations

We make space for emotional safety and adapt methods for accessibility. Not every young person will sit through a formal interview—and they shouldn’t have to.

Young People as Co-Researchers

We don’t just “consult” young people—we train and support them to become researchers themselves. From designing surveys to analysing findings, young co-researchers help shape how we work and challenge us to stay grounded in reality.

They receive training, mentoring, and opportunities to lead parts of the research themselves. It’s not just empowering—it’s effective.

“It’s not just ticking boxes—we’re actually changing what gets measured.”
— Youth co-researcher, age 18

Sharing What We Learn

Our research doesn’t sit on shelves. We share what we learn in ways that are open, practical, and accessible to all:

  • Short, plain-language reports and guides

  • Video explainers and toolkits

  • Free webinars and learning events

  • Infographics and social media breakdowns

  • Workshops for professionals and decision-makers

We believe that knowledge should be shared, not owned—especially when it affects children and young people.

Building a Better Future

We want our research to change more than just minds—we want it to help build a more responsive, inclusive, and hopeful support system.

That means:

  • Informing school practices and pastoral care

  • Influencing policy decisions at local and national level

  • Giving practitioners new tools that actually work

  • Helping funders and commissioners invest in what matters

  • Ensuring that those often excluded from research are not just included, but centred

Get Involved

You can join our research community in many ways:

  • Participate in a study (as a young person, carer, or professional)

  • Join our research advisory panels

  • Help us test new ideas or tools

  • Train as a youth co-researcher

  • Collaborate on a project as an academic or practitioner

Find out more on our [Join Us] page.

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