This project stage was purely evidence-based research, with a strong focus on understanding the lived experience of local school children and young people on their high street. We sought to foreground children and young people’s voices. This has involved listening and gathering evidence and helping them build skills in thinking and speaking about their experience of the local area and high street.
We worked with 2 groups of school students – 13 from years 5 and 6 of Fox Primary School and 12 from year 8 of Holland Park Secondary School. We developed a bespoke approach to the project and used it as an opportunity to test and develop a range of methodologies. The process involved both qualitative and quantitative data gathering, through a focus group approach and a school wide survey. Findings have emerged from general conversations as well as specific survey and data collection.
Engagement findings have provided some strong ideas and direction for a youth hub, clear opportunities for more work on investigating civic issues which particularly impact young people and a pilot process for investigating, through quantitative and qualitative analysis, other high streets and town centres from a child friendly perspective. The project has culminated in the production of two short films which give the children and young people clear and strong voices.
