What’s the project?
This project is interested in hearing from neurodivergent young people (diagnosed or suspected) who are attending a mainstream UK high school to understand your experiences of the school climate, how this can relate to mental health, and what support would help improve your school life. Young people’s voices are currently underrepresented in similar research, so it is hoped that hearing directly from young people will help to improve the research team’s understanding about what works well in mainstream schools and what could be different to work towards a positive experience for everyone. The project also hears from parents and class teachers so that the team can understand more about everyone’s experience and needs, which hopes to inform recommendations for services.
This project is being conducted by a Holly, a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Lancaster University, and has ethical approval from the department of Health Research.
Find out more
Holly is looking for up to 4 young people to take part in a 1:1 online interview with herself which will last for up to 1-hour. Holly will guide you through some questions related to school climate, mental health, and your experience of neurodivergence, she hopes it will feel like a relaxed and informal conversation. There are no right or wrong answers, just your personal experience and whatever you feel comfortable to share with Holly. You can also have a trusted adult close by if preferred, however it’s really important Holly hears from you during the interview.
Whilst what you and Holly discuss in the interview will be confidential and anonymous, meaning no one will know it’s you who has taken part, there may be some things she needs to share with your parents or other professionals who can help if she was worried about the safety of you or anyone else. Below are some examples of things she can keep confidential, and what she would need to share if you discussed.
| What will be kept confidential | When I will need to tell someone who can help |
| Disagreeing with parents / carers / teachers | Wanting to hurt yourself |
| Not liking school | Wanting to hurt others |
| Feeling down | Being hurt by someone else |
| Talking about how others make you feel | Feeling like you can’t go on |
- Must be based in the UK
- Must be attending a mainstream high school, in years 8 – 11 (typically ages 12-16)
- Must have attendance of at least 50%
- Have a diagnosis of autism and / or ADHD, or are queried and awaiting an assessment for either of these
- Are not currently experiencing a really serious mental health difficulty
- Do not have a significant cognitive difficulty
- Speak fluent English
- A good internet connection and access to Microsoft Teams
All eligible young people who take part will receive a £10 electronic gift voucher for their time and contributions. You can choose between an Amazon or a Love2Shop voucher.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email the researcher, Holly, at [email protected]. Or, you can follow the link below which takes you to an online form where you can view the information sheet and sign the consent forms. Your parent / carer will also need to read the information and sign their own consent form so they know you are taking part in the research.
https://lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1FVXpK1gJ7NECfs
No set deadline, however it would be helpful if people could reach out to Holly no later than September 2026.
Please note that the McPin Foundation regularly promotes opportunities on behalf of other institutions; we are not responsible for the continuation or contents of further correspondence with any project partners where we are not listed as the project main point of contact.
