Young people in three Leicestershire schools will have the opportunity to have their say in the future of health research and meet a Great British Bake Off star as part of a new project.
The new initiative offers young people an opportunity to voice their opinions on research priorities that could impact their health and wellbeing, and Great British Bake Off finalist Dr Josh Smalley will be helping out as part of the work.
The project is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicestershire Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) run by Leicestershire County Council, in collaboration with Loughborough University. It has been funded with money from the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Leicester University through the Institute for Precision Health, awarded in addition to the HDRC funding.
To give a voice to underrepresented groups, particularly young people in school Years 7-10, the team behind the project is hosting three interactive, creative workshops. The goal is to identify the key health determinants affecting young people in Leicestershire and ensure that their perspectives are included in future research.
These workshops will be conducted between April and June 2025, offering a space for students to learn about research, explore the wider determinants of health, and provide feedback on research priorities.
Three schools from across the county have signed up to the workshops, Thomas Estley (Broughton Astley), Limehurst Academy (Loughborough) and Martin High School (Anstey).
The workshops are designed to be engaging and fun, using creative methods such as writing, drawing, and group discussions and participating schools will receive a special thank-you visit Dr Josh Smalley, who will lead a session on the science of baking. “It is a pleasure to be a small part of this fantastic collaborative initiative, which gives students a great opportunity to contribute to the future of health research. Having each received their hands-on workshops I am really looking forwards to visiting the three schools to deliver sessions that delve into how science plays an integral role to everything we do in the kitchen and how our food looks, smells and tastes!” Dr Josh Smalley, University of Leicester, Great British Bake Off Finalist.
These workshops will complement the Citizen’s Assembly run by the HDRC to explore research priorities for those aged 18 and over.
“Young peoples’ voices are often left out of research decisions. Leicestershire HDRC wants to design, plan and implement research for and with our public, especially those who might not normally be heard. Engaging with young people will allow our research to reflect the true needs and experiences of our communities.” said Dr Sarah McNeill, Research Lead, Leicestershire HDRC.
“This project allows pupils to contribute to vital research and ensures that their voices are heard. Co-producing work like this with young people allows us to reinforce the University’s approach to research and to creating better futures together.” Prof Lauren Sherar, Acting Dean of School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University).
In addition to impacting health research, the project aims to build lasting relationships between schools and the HDRC, opening doors for future collaboration in health research. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for pupils to suggest ways to make research more accessible to young people.
This is a unique opportunity for schools to actively contribute to health research and empower young people to influence the future of health research in their community.
Laura Sanchez, Executive Headteacher, Martin High School commented “At Martin High School, we deeply value the voices of our young people. We believe that their involvement in this significant research will not only benefit the community but also empower them to actively participate in shaping the future of research that will impact health. This initiative aims to inspire our students, fostering their career aspirations and encouraging them to envision a brighter future.”