What’s the project?
The Greater Manchester Digital Health Research Unit, are a collaboration between the University of Manchester and the NHS.
This research unit runs a weekly, award-winning, free young people’s advisory group called Youth Connection to help young people (aged 16-25) develop research skills and have the opportunity to contribute to real-time research.
Young people will get the opportunity to meet and work with leading academics, clinicians and professionals, and sometimes international collaborators. In addition to this, the research unit offer support to enhance young people’s CVs, provide references, and help develop relevant skills for careers in research, academia, healthcare, marketing and more. There are also opportunities to manage certain elements of the group, such as social media, podcasts and blogs.
The Greater Manchester Digital Health Research Unit recently became a Duke of Edinburgh-Accredited Award and are really keen to make the group as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Relevant links:
Youth Connection webpage, where you can sign up via the form – https://www.gmdigital.org/youth-connection
Blog post about Youth Connection from one of our previous volunteers – https://www.gmdigital.org/post/reflections-on-youth-connection
Video about Youth Connection from one of our previous volunteers – https://www.instagram.com/p/DSZ2H5pDPi5/
If you are interested in signing up to Youth Connection, please contact [email protected].
Find out more
The Greater Manchester Digital Health Research Unit team are looking for anywhere between 20-30 young people to take part. Our next cohort begins on Tuesday, 3rd February 2026 and the group will meet online every Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm for 12-13 weeks.
Group members will regularly attend sessions where will you hear from researchers developing digital mental health apps, and more importantly, to offer their feedback and thoughts on projects within this area. You will learn research and presentation skills and have the opportunity to form your own areas of interest and research.
In 2022, the advisory group helped to co-design an app through a series of online workshops, using prototyping and usability testing tools. This enabled the research team to make meaningful changes to their project based on the feedback and contributions from Youth Connection.
- Must be based in the UK
- Anyone between the ages of 14-25.
Support will be offered in the form of developing your research skills, growing your confidence as a presenter and as a communicator, helping with your CV, and further opportunities for social media opportunities and speaking at events, among other things. You will also receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
If you are interested in joining Youth Connection, please email [email protected] and we will be in touch with a sign-up form and information pack.
You are welcome to send your responses in audio or video format if preferred.
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5pm on Friday 30th January 2026.
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