Teenagers across Bradford are being invited to take part in a ground-breaking new research project, led by Born in Bradford. The project, called Age of Wonder: The Story of Bradford’s Teenagers, 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 creative 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.
Alice 13 – Age of Wonder Image credit: (c) Carolyn Mendelsohn 2022-3
[On being part of Born in Bradford’s Age of Wonder] “I think it shows young people that there are people that do care about their future.” – Alice, 13
As part of this project, the team have 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.
Ayaan 12 Age of Wonder Image credit: (c) Carolyn Mendelsohn 2022-3
“I wish that there wasn’t loads of pollution in the air and that people start using other energy sources. They’re using coal and things but they can use wind energy like wind turbines and other things like solar energy.” – Ayaan, 12
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.
To get involved and be one of the 100 young people to document their journey through adolescence, contact the Born in Bradford office on 01274 274474 or email sufyan.dogra@bthft.nhs.uk for more information.