YEF Community Researchers Do you live in Lozells or Newtown? Do you want to be part of a community focussed approach to tackling youth violence? Would you enjoy listening to the views and opinions of community members?If the answer to these questions is YES, then why not consider becoming an accredited ‘Community Researcher’ on the YEF Neighbourhood Fund Project. Read on to find out more… The Project The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) puts the community at the heart of attempts to tackle serious youth violence, giving local people a voice and enabling them to identify priorities and potential solutions. Together, Lozells and Newtown have been selected to receive up to £1m over five years to deliver this vision. The initial stages of the project will take place over the next nine months and a key part of this process will be community research. What is Community Research? We believe that research conducted by local residents is a powerful way to understand local issues and bring about change. We recognise that communities have a wide range of skills and experience and are essential in finding sustainable solutions. Community research involves local people becoming researchers. Supported by professional researchers from the University of Birmingham and its community researchers, they co-produce research and conduct interviews and with local people, gathering their views and understandings.As part of the YEF project, community researchers will talk and listen to local people in Lozells and Newtown about their community and youth violence within it, to highlight the community’s experience, needs and aspirations. Who can become a Community Researcher?Anyone over the age of 18 who lives in Lozells or Newtown can register their interest in becoming a community researcher. If you are strongly connected to the area in another way, please get in touch to discuss whether you can be involved. All community researchers will receive 10 hours initial training focused on the research process (i.e. undertaking interviews, research ethics etc). Training dates will be during March and will be arranged around the availability of the participants. There will also be opportunity to undertake further training to develop interviewing skills and data analysis. All training is free of charge, accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) and delivered by the University of Birmingham in partnership with USE-IT! Community Researchers.Training will take place in Lozells on 22 and 24th November from 9.30 am to 3 pm, lunch will be provided. Your questions answered Q: Will I receive payment? A: Yes, payment is at a rate of £14.06 per hour. Q: How can I find out more? A: 'To find out more get in touch with Alison (079400 18531 or [email protected]) or Debbie (07891 747823 or [email protected]. Information sessions An information event will be held at the end of February, date to be confirmed – check back here soon'.