Research
Our current research projects are designed to create meaningful, lasting change.
We believe that all research should be community-led, meaning local communities take the lead role in setting research priorities and guide the research at every stage. We champion participatory and action orientated approaches to research, which directly engage communities and their knowledge. By centring community voices, we strive to ensure that all research leads to actions that improve the lives of individuals and communities in Lambeth.
Community research has always been a part of High Trees work, initially used to shape our own services, but over the last decade, we’ve expanded our focus to drive wider, positive social change. We recognise the greater relevance of this type of research, and how it can be used to support other organisations to better design their services.
Alongside our own research, we collaborate with partner organisations to identify, research and take action on issues affecting Lambeth communities. Through the Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN) we also provide training, practical resources and capacity building support for local organisations interested in community-based research.
Our research
Improving access to ESOL for individuals in work
We are currently working in partnership with The Bell Foundation to better understand the barriers that prevent people in work from improving their English language skills through English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses.
Young people’s mental health in Lambeth
High Trees is currently working with the Building Young Brixton
partnership to better understand the mental health needs of young
people in Lambeth and identify how youth and play organisations
can effectively respond through new initiatives
Protecting young people from exposure to violence
Following on from their initial research, the Lambeth Peer Action Collective (LPAC) found that young people who engaged with youth facilities or services had significantly better access to support, opportunities, mentorship, and safe spaces. These insights have
inspired the team to explore how safe spaces and trusted adults can serve as protective factors, reducing young peoples exposure to violence in Lambeth.
Understanding young people’s experiences of violence
In their first piece of research the Lambeth Peer Action Collective (LPAC) team explored how and why violence affects young people in Lambeth. More than 400 young people contributed to this research, through one to one interviews, art based workshops and Talk it Out sessions.
We recently launched the Lambeth Community Research Network, a partnership of five Lambeth community organisations, collaborating to make research work for our communities. Through this partnership, we are working together to build capacity for community based research in Lambeth.
Membership is open to Lambeth based voluntary and community sector organisations, academics and research organisations with an interest in community research. Benefits of becoming a member include: support with developing your project, access to learning events and training sessions and access to an ethical approval process and more.