’No limits‚: doing participatory action research with young people in Northumberland

Abstract

Abstract People's health needs tend to be responded to by professionally led, individualistic and reactive services, rather than preventive interventions, or by drawing on lay expertise. In this project, we used a participatory approach to involve young people in researching their needs and views of how sources of support can be improved and developed. We present the background to the work undertaken; the participatory methods used; results and recommendations. The young people emphasized their preferences for informal support rather than counselling services; and changes in the attitudes of professionals towards young people, rather than major new service developments. We discuss the implications of a participatory approach to the research and to the individuals involved. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.