The Lambeth Peer Action Collective (LPAC) has just wrapped up the data collection stage of its second research project. The dynamic team, made up of 12 young people, has been exploring the role of trusted adults and trusted spaces in protecting young people in Lambeth from exposure to violence.
The collective brings together young people and local youth organisations, empowering young people to take the lead in identifying, researching and acting on issues that affect them. With support from High Trees, the LPAC team has been developing their research and analytical skills and growing in confidence.
Over the past few months, LPAC has conducted an impressive 43 in-depth interviews with young people, from across six partner organisations. They’ve also been hard at work listening back to interviews, analysing the data and identifying key insights. Together they’ve been reflecting on and refining themes emerging from the data, in order to build an understanding of whether youth spaces and trusted adults can serve as protective factors against violence.
“I enjoy hearing everyone’s opinions. Everyone is really different and comes from a different background and ethnicity, youth group, age. I like our difference of experience and what we can offer.”
“It builds me up at the beginning of the week – I always leave smiling.”
With data analysis already underway, the LPAC team is now learning about different ways of transforming their findings into impactful action. Over the coming year, LPAC are looking forward to publishing their research report and taking action in response to their findings.