We do this in a number of ways, particularly through the promotion of young people's voice, influence and place in society.
To showcase the work and achievements of the young people we work with and for, we will be dedicating our pages in Children & Young People Now to these projects through Special Focus editions.
In this, our first Special Focus, we are celebrating the work of our Young Researcher grant award winners.
The Young Researcher Network's mission is to value, support and encourage research led by young people. The network is run by the NYA as part of its work with the Local Government Association, supported through top-sliced funding for local authorities.
Between 2009 and 2011, six local authorities were provided with £3,000 to undertake open youth-led research - projects designed and led by young people - in their local areas:
- Hertsmere Youth Service
- Nottinghamshire Youth Service
- Swindon Borough Council
- Investing in Children (Durham)
- Children's Active Involvement Service (Islington)
- Peterborough City Council
Four organisations working in partnership with local authorities received £1,000 each to explore young people's voice and influence in developing their local services:
- Isle of Wight Connexions
- National Deaf CAMHS
- Solihull Youth Service
- York City Council
All projects had to demonstrate a positive impact on the local area, either by working directly with the local authority or by influencing its direct scope.
Below and on the page overleaf are just a selection of projects that we have helped bring to fruition and the impact they have had locally.
Find out more about the work of the Young Researcher Network and all our grant award winners online at: www.nya.org.uk/ integrated-youth-support-services/young-researcher-network
