Research reports

Mental health and wellbeing

Truth About Youth: our 2025 insights survey

Young Scot · 2025

Young Scot surveyed 2,590 young people aged 11–25 across Scotland between September 2024 and January 2025 on a wide range of issues including wellbeing, safety, health, climate change, cyber crime, and children's rights. Most respondents could identify something to look forward to, but 43% said their mental health had worsened since 2019, and only 16% felt that policy and decision makers understood the issues facing young people. The most pressing concerns were lack of affordable housing, poverty, racism and prejudice, and the climate emergency, with education identified as the most important issue for young people in Scotland right now.

SurveyScotland

Arts, culture and creativity

Theatre Transformed: Research, Innovation and Industry Insight

National Theatre · 2025

This report, commissioned by the National Theatre, maps how research, development and innovation (RD&I) already operates across the UK theatre sector and assesses the policy mechanisms supporting it. It finds that RD&I is embedded throughout the theatrical production cycle — from artistic and technical innovation to audience engagement and sustainability — but that the sector is significantly under-represented in government innovation funding, with only 1.2% of UKRI theatre-related projects listing a theatre as lead partner. The report makes recommendations to government, UKRI, and the sector itself to unlock theatre's full innovation potential, including through dedicated funding streams, clearer tax guidance, and more performing arts organisations obtaining Independent Research Organisation status.

Secondary analysisInterviewUK-wide

Health and physical wellbeing

A Breath of Fresh Air: A Smoke Free Future (Youth views on Tobacco and Vapes Bill, 16-25-year-old advisory group)

Partnership for Young London · 2025

This report explores young Londoners' and senior health stakeholders' views on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to phase out tobacco sales to anyone born after January 2009. Two-thirds of young survey respondents supported the Bill, welcoming its focus on reducing addiction, improving health, and addressing inequalities, while also raising concerns about black markets and unregulated alternatives. Stakeholders broadly agreed on the public health benefits but flagged enforcement challenges and risks of unintended consequences. The research was conducted by a youth advisory group of 16–25-year-olds acting as peer researchers, alongside interviews with senior professionals.

Co-producedSurveyFocus groupLondon

Environment and climate

Children in Wales Youth Peer Research Project: Sustainability and Poverty Co-Production

Children in Wales / Youth Peer Researchers · 2025

This youth-led peer research project, conducted by eight young people aged 13–18 in Wales, investigated the barriers to eco-friendly behaviour among children and young people across Wales. Using a bilingual survey (816 responses) and five focus groups (53 participants), the researchers found that most young people care about the environment but face significant barriers including cost, lack of accessible eco-friendly options, peer and family influence, and limited or repetitive environmental education in schools. The report recommends that the government improve public transport, make eco-friendly products more affordable, increase funding for local environmental projects, and give young people more of a voice in decision-making.

Youth-ledSurveyFocus groupWales

Employment, skills and economic security

Green Skills Week: survey of young people age 14–25 — key findings

Speakers for Schools · 2024

A survey of 1,014 young people aged 14–25 explored their awareness of green jobs, their interest in pursuing them, and whether they had opportunities to learn about green careers in school or college. While 63% said they know to some extent what a green job is, nearly half of those don't know what qualifications or skills are needed to pursue one. Strikingly, 68% had no opportunity to learn about green jobs in school or college, with disadvantaged groups — those on free school meals, females, and those from ethnic minority backgrounds — disproportionately missing out. The report recommends that government, employers, and organisations like Speakers for Schools work together to embed green careers education into the curriculum.

SurveyUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

Girls Attitudes Survey 2024

Girlguiding · 2024

Girlguiding's 2024 Girls' Attitudes Survey finds that girls in the UK are experiencing a crisis of confidence, driven by pervasive sexism, appearance pressures, online harm, and the cost-of-living crisis. Three in four girls aged 11–16 see or experience sexism, 77% of girls aged 7–21 experienced online harm in the past year, and only 1 in 4 girls feel very confident in their lives. Despite these challenges, girls remain hopeful and curious about the future, valuing friendship, community and confidence as key to their success.

Co-producedSurveyMixed methodsUK-wide

Environment and climate

Calling for Change: Young Londoners' Views on a Sustainable Future for Their City

Partnership for Young London · 2023

This report presents the views of over 1,000 young Londoners aged 16–25 on environmental sustainability, gathered through a survey and four focus groups. Young Londoners do not believe London is currently a sustainable city and want to see major changes to transport, housing, and urban planning, with responsibility placed primarily on national and regional government and large corporations. The research finds that while young people are motivated to take action, they face significant barriers including cost, lack of information, and limited formal education on environmental issues. It also explores what role London Museum could play in engaging young people on climate and sustainability issues.

Co-producedSurveyFocus groupLondon

Environment and climate

Climate Change and Young People in Copeland: A Series of Youth Group Activities Run in Conjunction with the Copeland People's Panel on Climate Change

Shared Future CIC / CAfS · 2021

Four participatory workshop sessions were run with 62 young people aged 11–19 across seven youth groups in Copeland, exploring how young people view their communities, understand climate change, and what solutions they want to see locally. Findings show young people are concerned about climate change but lack specific knowledge about local emissions. Young people recommended better public transport, more tree planting, support for electric vehicles, and renewable energy, while also expressing frustration that their voices are not heard by decision-makers. The results were fed directly into the Copeland People's Panel on Climate Change to inform its final recommendations.

Co-producedParticipatoryOtherNorth West

Mental health and wellbeing

Girls' Attitudes Survey 2020

Girlguiding · 2020

The 2020 Girls' Attitudes Survey, now in its 12th year, asked over 2,000 girls and young women aged 7–21 across the UK about the pressures and challenges they face. The report finds that appearance pressure remains a persistent barrier to confidence and wellbeing, worsened by increased online exposure during Covid-19 lockdown. Girls want greater equality in politics, sport, gaming, and the workplace, and are concerned about climate change and fast fashion. Girls from BAME backgrounds, those identifying as LGBQ, and those with disabilities consistently report worse outcomes across nearly all themes.

Co-producedSurveyUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

Girls' Attitudes Survey 2019

Girlguiding · 2019

Girlguiding's annual survey of over 2,000 girls and young women aged 7–21 across the UK explores their attitudes on environmental action, access to play and sport, life online and media pressures, bullying, and skills and education. Key findings include that 88% feel it is urgent to do more to protect the environment, 79% have experienced bullying or unacceptable behaviours, and 64% of those aged 11–21 feel there is too much pressure on exam performance. Only 21% of girls say they receive the support they need to manage exam-related stress, and many face barriers to safe outdoor spaces and equitable careers advice.

Co-producedSurveyInterviewUK-wide

Civic participation and youth voice

Demos: An Anatomy of Youth

Demos · 2010

This Demos report maps the attitudes and values of British 16–25-year-olds against key social, economic, environmental and technological trends shaping their lives in 2010. Drawing on original survey data from v's Voicebox poll, in-depth youth portraits, and commissioned expert essays, the report finds that young people are economically and politically marginalised relative to older generations, yet are far from passive: many are actively creating social change. The authors argue that politicians must transfer genuine political capital to young people by engaging seriously with the issues — from climate change and digital identity to family care and democratic participation — that will define their futures.

SurveyInterviewUK-wide

Results