Young People’s Advisory Group

Bristol’s Young People’s Advisory Group, also known as ‘YPAG’, is made up of young people interested in contributing to health and care research. It was founded as part of Generation R, a national network of young people’s advisory groups across the UK.

Members aged between 10 and 25 meet with researchers to give their feedback on research focused on young people. They also get involved in research projects.

Our YPAG members are important because they offer their unique young person’s point of view. They are, after all, the experts on being a young person.

Why get involved?

If you join YPAG, you’ll be helping make research better by sharing your unique expertise and experience as a young person.

But there are lots of other benefits to getting involved in YPAG, including:

• Members are paid, usually £27.50 an hour
• Enhance your prospects when applying for university or your first job
• We can give references for university, college or work
• Build your confidence
• Get experience of research
• Develop skills, including training opportunities
• Meet new people, including people from different backgrounds and cultures

Opportunities to socialise, such as our YPAG thank you events aimed at celebrating all that our YPAG members have achieved.

How is YPAG run?

The group meets regularly, though you don’t have to attend all meetings. Meetings are usually held online via Zoom.

They usually run between 5.30-6.30pm on weekday evenings. Occasionally meetings are also held in person. This is usually during the holidays or occasionally on Saturdays.

What sort of things does YPAG look at?

The diagram below explains how young people can contribute to every stage of the research process.

Diagram for young people outlining the research process and how patient and public involvement can be embedded in it, created by YPAG and adult public contributor Louise Ting.

Opportunities to get involved vary, including giving feedback on:

• Research questions
• Research design
• Recruitment methods
• Patient information sheets
• Leaflets
• Study questionnaires

There are also opportunities to get involved in longer term research projects on a range of topics.