The Youthscape Centre for Research is a Think Tank situated at the heart of Youthscape. We believe that innovation is rooted in research, and that the key to long-term effective work with young people lies in deep reflection on our practice and the contexts we are working in.
Youthscape seeks positive transformation in the lives of all young people, and is dedicated to developing innovative and proven ways to address the key contemporary issues young people face – whether social, emotional or spiritual. Our remit as a research centre covers everything relating to young people’s wellbeing, so if it affects young people and the world in which they are living, then we want to hear about it, and tell you about it.
The Youthscape Centre for Research is both a conductor and a disseminator of research. Whether in partnership with other organisations or independently, locally or nationally, we carry out a variety of research projects into a broad spectrum of issues relating to young people’s wellbeing. We then disseminate our findings and other interesting pieces of research to youth work practitioners through blogs, newsletters, our printed publication The Story, and training days.
We exist to serve and inform youth work practitioners and the Church at large, through researching into the needs of young people from the perspective of a Christian ethos and distinctive. Our research will not always focus on faith or religious affiliations, but will always fall within the remit of responding to the needs of young people, adopting a holistic approach to their emotional, spiritual and social health.
There is growing anecdotal evidence that the tried and tested forms of church youth work aren't really working any more; the old paradigms of youth ministry are creaking under the rapidly changing climate of youth culture. The task of The Youthscape Centre for Research is to find answers to the questions we are asking, and ways forward for our work with young people. We also seek to bridge the gap between on-the-ground practitioners and academic institutions, rooting academic reflection in practice and drawing on the rich resources of academia for youth work practice.
We'd love you to get involved in the research we're doing, to find out what you are up to and what your young people are into. We're also keen to hear your thoughts on youth work in general and to hear your questions too.