YOUNG people will be asked about their experiences growing up in Bradford as part of a seven year research project.

Teenagers across Bradford are being invited to take part in a ground-breaking project, led by Born in Bradford.

Called Age of Wonder: The Story of Bradford’s Teenagers, it will ask 100 young people to share their experiences of growing up in the city over the next seven years.

The research is part of Born in Bradford’s ‘Age of Wonder’ study which is working with secondary schools across the district to build up a picture of life and health in the city and use this evidence to improve health and wellbeing.

Teenagers will be asked to share their hopes and fears for the future, and will be invited to take part in interviews and group discussions.

Young people will be able to express themselves using a wide range of approaches, including photography, creative writing and performing arts. The findings will help researchers to understand what it is like for young people growing up in Bradford and will be used to help identify ways to improve health, wellbeing and educational outcomes for young people.

Dr Sufyan Dogra is one of the Principal Research Fellows leading the study.

He said: “We want to empower young people to tell us the stories of their lives.

“These stories will help us understand how we can inspire and engage teenagers in the city and how we can make Bradford an amazing place for young people to thrive and fulfil their potential.”

As part of this project, the team has been working with award-winning photographer Carolyn Mendelsohn, who is producing annual portraits of young people taking part in the research.

Speaking about her involvement in the project, Carolyn said: “I am delighted to be part of Born in Bradford’s Age of Wonder as Artist-in-Residence.

“I’m excited to see how these teenagers develop over the coming years and to show this through their portraits and interviews.

“Age of Wonder is giving me a unique opportunity to be able to follow up on portrait subjects, something that’s very rare.”

Professor John Wright, director of the Bradford Institute for Health Research, which houses the Born in Bradford project, said: “Adolescence is a period of tumultuous social, biological, and psychological change.

“Age of Wonder will grow into the biggest health study of teenagers in the world and allow us to understand how our lifestyles, environments and genes are shaping our physical and mental health.

“The Story of Bradford’s Teenagers will highlight the voices of these young people and allow them to set priorities and change the city.”

For more information visit www.borninbradford.nhs.uk

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