Young People’s Reference Group on Public Health: methods and achievements

2006 Conference

This paper will report on the development and progress of a Young People’s Reference Group on Public Health which has been established through the collaboration of three organisations. The group is organised by the National Children’s Bureau on behalf of the Public Health Research Consortium (PHRC), with funding from INVOLVE. The PHRC is funded by England’s Department of Health and brings together researchers from across ten UK institutions in an integrated programme of research. The Young People’s Group aims to contribute to the work of the PHRC and the wider public health agenda.

The aims, objectives, activities and outcomes of the group will be shared. This will include how young people were recruited, their reasons for involvement, the methods of involvement adopted, outcomes achieved and the results of the corresponding evaluation being undertaken of the processes and impact of the group. Barriers and achievements will be discussed to facilitate shared learning. This will particularly focus on how young people can participate effectively in research and policy development within public health.