Our Leeds Young Research Owls recently attended the Children and Young People’s Involvement in Health and Social Care Research: Making Connections event in Birmingham. This inspiring event, organised by the NIHR and GenerationR, aimed to celebrate and strengthen young people’s involvement in research.
The Owls, a passionate group of 12- to 17-year-olds led by Senior Research Nurse Heather Rostron, engaged in discussions on how young people can shape and support research. They also had the opportunity to work on a PhD proposal project, gaining first-hand experience of the research proposal process.
A lineup of inspiring speakers included Sophie Ainsworth and Dr Simon Stones, Founder & CEO and Secretary of RAiISE, a patient advocacy group raising awareness of invisible illnesses in education. Additionally, Professor Cath Larkins shared a thought-provoking presentation on trauma-informed approaches to children’s mental health research, offering key insights into the field.
This experience empowered the group with new knowledge, practical skills, and a deeper appreciation for the role young people can play in shaping the future of research.