Our Research Approach
Since 2017 Toynbee Hall has been developing our participatory action research (PAR) approach. PAR is a type of peer research; in other words research where the people being studied are also those doing the research.
With PAR we take the co-production of our work a step further than most peer research. We produce truly insightful findings by involving people with lived experience from the very beginning at the design stage, who can uncover the right questions to ask. We are able to do this with the support of around 90 trained peer researchers and over 200 experts by experience
PARTICIPATORY
We involve the community in our research from the beginning and value everyone’s knowledge.
ACTION
We work to make meaningful changes with the research we do, in line with the data collected and community priorities.
RESEARCH
We produce high-quality research to give us and others a deep insight into the topic at hand.
We strongly believe that PAR that PAR leads to better research, stronger civic engagement, and positive social change. PAR is also an opportunity to engage and share power in a trauma-informed way with marginalised groups that have historically been deemed “hard-to-reach”; we have found our approach means more confidence from peer researchers to engage with difficult conversations with power holders and trust that the process will lead to change.
Our Research Areas
Across all our projects we have a focus on low-income and marginalised communities, targeting our work towards those who would benefit the most from policy change.
Income and Employment
Everyone has the financial security they need to live a good life.
Example Project: More than just education
Social and Financial Inclusion
Everyone has equal access to participate within society.
Example Project:
Freedom: Access to Cash in the UK
Housing and the Environment
Everyone has high quality housing and a good environment to live in.
Example Project:
Net Zero Transition for Low-income Consumers
Health, Social Care, and Community
Everyone has access to services and support to lead a healthy life.
Example Project: Emotional Support for Young People
Reflections from our Peer Researchers
There was never a point where we were told we have to do something. It was always what can we do to make it better. If something didn’t work, we would have an actual discussion.”
At this early stage being able to steer the focus of the project and make the decisions as a group – as well as seeing how this shaped the next stages of the project – really encouraged us and built our confidence as a group that we were being listened to and could affect things.”
As the project progressed, we increasingly built confidence that we could affect things, and that feeling really sticks with you and is empowering.
Find out more about our other research projects
If you’d like to learn more about our work, and how you can collaborate with us, please email research@toynbeehall.org.uk
Our Research Library
