What is the Young People's Advisory Group?
"The YPAG is a group made up of young people to help inform REACH on the processes of collecting data going forward. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of this group, not only because it is interesting to discuss the data collected, but also because it allows myself and others to have a say on how researchers should go forward in dealing with young people like us. During the meeting, we cover a variety of different topics ranging from our opinions on the data collected, to discussing important material that should be covered in questionnaires. The YPAG’s diverse range of members means that I can listen to and understand a variety of different opinions and different ways as to how problems could be solved. It is through this group that I feel able to input my ideas on important matters which have the potential to help young people and improve the accuracy of data collected."
Anna Briggs, Young People's Advisory Group Member
In designing and planning REACH, we set up a young people’s advisory group with the support of the McPin Foundation. The group is comprised of 11 members aged 14 – 25 years. Since its creation, the group have provided input on procedures for consent, for ensuring confidentiality and for managing and responding to risks, drafts of our information sheets and consent/assent forms, drafts of our questionnaires, interviews, tasks, and study logo. The feedback received was incredibly useful for developing the project and ensuring its relevance for key stakeholders.
