In a study co-produced between Queen’s Innovation Zones and the Greater Shankill Children and Young People Zone, young people got the chance to consider their current and potential lives with a qualified and trained adult pathfinder.

Queen’s has been working in partnership with the Zone since its inception and the Conversations project was designed and shaped locally with researchers providing a framework for delivery. The aim is to ensure these grassroots engagements ultimately shape community provision and government policy.

Welcoming the report which was launched on 23 November 2022, Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: “The Conversations project is a wonderful example of how communities and academia can collaborate for effective change.

By placing children and young people at its core, Conversations has afforded a voice to, and is shaping a vision of, what the future might look like.

I wish all the children, young people and their families well on this journey and look forward to helping you achieve your ambitions.”

Lead author for the report Dr Liam O’Hare (Director of the Innovation Zones and Principal Research Fellow @SSESWQUB) said: “It is a wonderful opportunity to work with such brilliant colleagues in Queen's Innovation Zones (@ZonesQUB) and the Greater Shankill Children and Young People Zone (@ShankillZone) on this flagship initiative.” He went on to say.

“The 'Conversations' process has provided these children and young people from the Shankill area the space to voice their aspirations to a wide audience. It has been a privilege to hear them. Now we need to work together to support them in finding a pathway towards their own story....”

Jackie Redpath, CEO of the Great Shankill Partnership said: “The publication of this Report is a significant milestone on the Zone’s journey. The conversations with children and young people about ‘the story they want their lives to be’ is at the heart of our vision for the transformation of this generation. We greatly value the partnership with Queen’s University on this journey.”

Speaking about the report, Children’s Commissioner Koulla Yiasouma added: “Article 12 of the UNCRC addresses the right of children and young people to have their voices heard in all processes affecting their lives. Although it is more than that, Article 12 has more recently been translated into co-design. If serious about co-designing services with children and young people, then tapping into these conversations is the best place to start.