Life changes a lot when a parent or carer leaves the Armed Forces. We’re looking for children and young people who have experienced this change to help lead research about it.
This tri-service, nationwide study will build a picture of what Armed Forces children actually go through during the transition to civilian life so that the right support can be put in place in the future.
We’re grateful to Forces in Mind Trust for funding this project, which will be delivered by Brunel University London in partnership with us, University of Portsmouth and Academic Consulting and Education Services (ACCESS).
Learn more about this project and how you can get involved.
We are looking for 12 young people aged 12–19 with a parent who has left or is leaving the Armed Forces to join our Youth Advisory Board. Once we have everyone’s application, we will decide who takes part to make sure lots of different experiences are included.
You will help design the research, including the questions asked and how best to get children and young people to take part.
We will work with the whole group to teach you what you need to know to be the best researcher you can. You don’t need to know it before you start.
Your contributions will make sure this research asks the right questions and uncovers what’s really missing from our understanding of young people’s experiences. Taking part will give you an opportunity to gain real research experience that can help you at school, university, and in your future career.
You’ll also receive a £10 voucher for each session you attend.
Participants will need to come to most of the 90-minute sessions, which will take place between August and September 2026. There will also be extra sessions from September 2026 to December 2027 to help make sure the project works well for children and young people at every stage.
Friday 14 August: 5:30–7:30pm (Becoming the YAB)
Sunday 16 August: 10:30am–12pm (Rights and Safe Participation) and 1:30–3pm (Consent and Group Agreement)
Friday 21 August: 5:30–7pm (Becoming a Youth Researcher)
Saturday 22 August: 10:30am–12pm (Exploring Research Themes) and 1:30–3pm (Research Skills and Good Questions)
Monday 24 August: 5:30–7pm (Applying Learning to Co-Design the Materials)
Monday 31 August: 5:30–7pm (Applying Learning to Co-Design the Materials)
Wednesday 2 September: 5:30–7pm (Applying Learning to Co-Design the Materials)
It’s never just a tick-box: Your time is important. We will only ask you to join in when your ideas can really help make a difference.
Your privacy matters: You never have to share personal stories or private information to give your opinion.
We will plan things properly: We will make sure there is enough time, support and money to do things well — not rushed or unfinished.
You should never have to pay: We will cover things like travel, snacks and other reasonable costs so taking part does not cost you anything.
We will thank you for your time: We appreciate the time and ideas you give. We might say thank you with certificates, food, gift vouchers, training or special opportunities.
We will be clear and honest: We will explain what the project is about, what you can help decide, how decisions will be made, and what your role will be.
Everyone should feel included: We will work hard to make activities welcoming, accessible and inclusive for everyone, especially if something makes it harder for them to take part.
You can choose how to take part: You can choose what works best for you: online or in person, in a group or one-to-one.
You are always in control: We will make sure you understand what you are agreeing to. You can stop taking part at any time, and we will check in regularly to make sure you still want to be involved.
We will help keep everyone safe: We will plan activities carefully and follow safety rules to help everyone feel safe, respected and treated fairly.
Support is available: If you need extra support outside meetings or activities, we will help you get the support you need.
We will keep you updated: We will tell you how your ideas were used and what difference they made.
You will see what happens next: We will show you the results of the project so you know your voice mattered.