Amy 00:00
Young Women’s trust champions young women aged 18 to 30 who are living on low or no pay. Our Research Centre spotlights the reality of young women’s lives.
We know that there is limited data on the challenges young women face and the solutions they need. We know that young women have the ability, experience and drive to create change and build a more equal society. That’s why we use a peer research approach.
Amy 00:28
Peer research empowers people with lived experience to lead and conduct research. Working with young women who have similar experiences to the communities we want to learn about allows our research to be more accurate, authentic and in depth. When a young woman is interviewed by another young woman like her, she is more likely to share openly and honestly. Having experience helps the peer researcher to ask relevant questions in a sensitive way. This means that as researchers, we can learn more than we ever would in a traditional interview.
Mehvash 01:07
As a peer researcher, it has been an incredibly valuable experience and great training. This has really helped to build my skills and confidence, conducting research.
Maria 01:17
As a peer researcher, it has been valuable work experience and so much amazing training for me to conduct my studies. And it’s just been so incredible to do that and work with such an amazing group of women.
Mehvash 01:32
The whole experience has definitely boosted my confidence and I feel this real sense of community and shared solidarity being part of something like this.
Amy 01:41
Working with peer researchers from diverse communities also helps us to engage with young women who might be less likely to get involved in research.
Amy 01:57
Peer research is beneficial both for the people carrying out the research and those who are taking part. It helps us understand what the lives of young women are really like and the challenges they face.
This type of research helps elevate the voices of people from specific groups and helps them feel empowered, heard and valued by society. The ripple effect this can have is invaluable, particularly for peer researchers, by boosting their confidence, building their skills and improving their mental health.
Jess 02:31
Because we only have limited official data about your women’s lives and the challenges that they face, peer research is a powerful tool for influencing. It helps politicians understand and engage with the unique and intersectional experiences of young women, bringing them to life and enabling them to campaign and make the real changes that young women want to see.
Amy 02:51
Young women are at the heart of peer research at Young Women’s trust. We’re building a unique evidence base of young women’s lives and experiences. Together, we can make the change we need to build a better future for young women.
ENDS.
Back to Peer Research: The power of shared experience report
