This post offers information about a new small project from the Living Life to the Fullest Team called Rethinking Our Lives, a research project from the University of Sheffield in partnership with Scope

What is the project’s purpose?

Rethinking Our Lives aims to learn about the lives of disabled young people. To do this, we want to hear young people’s voices, their opinions and views. Our explorations will build into a ‘capital model’ that will be used by Scope, a national charity supporting equality for disabled people, in its planning and services for disabled young people in the future. A capital model focuses on young people’s capacities and strengths. We hope that this model will ultimately change the way society views and acts towards disabled young people and support them to succeed.

In partnership with Scope, we will use a co-production model that centres disabled young people as researchers. This means that two disabled young people – Sally Whitney and Lucy Watts MBE – are core members of the research team.

How can I take part?

If you are a disabled young person who wants to speak about their lives and experiences
of disability for Rethinking Our Lives, you can participate in the following ways:

One: Join our Tweet-Chat!

We will be hosting a Tweet-Chat on Tuesday 30th June 2020, from 7.00 – 8.00pm.

Come and join us on the above date at our #DisabilityYouth2020 hashtag or check out @FullLivesESRC

We will tweet a series of questions, to which you can reply with your thoughts. Please note that all of your responses will be public.

If you have any further questions, please email Kirsty on k.liddiard@sheffield.ac.uk

Two: Participate in a Facebook Focus Group

In you are a disabled young person aged 14+ and are willing to take part in an online Facebook focus group, commenting when you have time, with other disabled young people, we would love to hear from you!

To participate, we will need you (and your parent/carer if you’re under 18) to sign a consent form. We will also send you an information sheet, to learn more.

If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact Kirsty on k.Liddiard@sheffield.ac.uk or see our ‘Rethinking Our Lives’ page on Facebook.

We expect the Facebook focus group to take place from Monday 6th July to Friday 10th July 2020. If you participate, you will be expected to post/engage in the discussion at this time.

For participating in the Facebook focus group, we will give you a £20 e-voucher to say thank you.