Research and Consultancy – United Youth Alliance

Consultancy Services

Keep up to date with the latest news and insights from UYA.

If you’d like to speak to a member of our marketing and communications team please contact admin@uyacic.org

Research

UYA is proud to offer dynamic and inclusive research services that empower communities and drive meaningful change.

Our work spans diverse projects that place young people, communities and their voices at the heart of the research process.

Recent examples of this include:

Partnered with Blackpool Football Club Community Trust on a commission by Sports England Place Expansion Move Together Blackpool initiative to research the barriers young women face in being physically active.
Funded by Blackpool Researching Together (BRT), to collaborate with key stakeholders to develop research proposals focused on the information, advice, and guidance available to young people, exploring its impact on their health and well-being and addressing health inequalities.
A partnership with Media Education Scotland on the Plan International ‘Let Me Speak’ campaign, a creative research initiative aimed at improving rights for young women.

Through these and other projects, UYA continues to champion participatory approaches that ensure research is reflective of, and responsive to, the communities we serve.

Bespoke Consultancy

Specialising in delivering bespoke services tailored to the unique needs of organisations and community groups, fostering growth, development, and innovation.

Recent examples of this include:

Commissioned by The Magic Club (Blackpool), to enhance CPD of their staff, focusing on youth work skills knowledge, and behaviour while refining key processes and approaches.
The Boathouse Charity, we designed and implemented a learning pathway for Level 3 Youth Work apprentices, creating innovative strategies to support career pathways and drive investment in youth work
Better Start Blackpool, working with their team to empower groups that drive impactful change.
The Grand Theatre Blackpool, providing specialised safeguarding training tailored for their workforce needs.

Our flexible and responsive approach ensures that every project is uniquely crafted to deliver meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

Service Review

We can provide in-depth youth and community service reviews that help organisations enhance their impact, align with strategic goals, and create lasting change.

Recent examples of this include:

Through a partnership with UYA and Vanessa Rogers, commissioned by Oxfordshire Youth, we conducted a comprehensive review and redesign of youth programs, including youth voice initiatives. This work is integral to Oxfordshire Youth’s 2024-25 strategic goals.
Commissioned by Right to Succeed to evaluate the Blackpool Youth Advisors project, developing a costed model for youth leadership and intergenerational collaboration. This model is now being embedded into the YFF Connected Future project and Blackpool’s 10-year education strategy.

UYA’s reviews are grounded in collaboration and evidence-based insights, ensuring services are responsive, sustainable, and transformative.

Social Action Development

UYA is dedicated to advancing social action development by equipping organisations and young people to actively engage in meaningful opportunities that align with their interests, skills, and community aspirations.

Recent examples of this include:

Partnered with Blackpool Sixth Form to co-create and expand their social action offer, empowering students to make a positive impact.
Working with Blackpool Transport in developing plans for a Young People’s Panel, embedding youth voice into their strategic planning and operational quality assurance processes.
A flagship initiative is UYA’s role as facilitators of the Fylde Coast Social Action Alliance, aiming to establish the first Coastal Social Action Area. In partnership with the #iwill campaign, we engage organisations and groups to sign up to the Power of Youth Charter, driving coordinated efforts to increase opportunities and social mobility for young people.

Through bespoke services, UYA helps organisations and individuals create impactful social action projects that foster personal growth, community development, and systemic change.

Our Testimonials

The training we required was across a whole team and included invites to colleagues and public external to our team and working in partnership. The tutors were able to assess the different dynamics, backgrounds and work focuses and ensured delivery was inclusive and challenging to everyone’s individual needs. The group was directly engaged throughout and experienced learner led development that allowed them to self reflect on current practices as well as considered new practices to introduce into their Community Engagement standards and separate out Community Development actions. The tutors assessed and embedded the core outcomes and objectives we were looking for and provided bespoke aspects into the learning process that allowed for flexibility in the delivery programme.

It was my privilege to work alongside TWG’s Debbie and Sue for the first ever International Men’s Day Event which took place in Blackpool on 19th November 2019. This was a ground breaking event and tackled the sensitive issue of male suicide. I don’t know how they did it, but they managed to organise an event with great speakers and fantastic workshops with over a 100 people attending which also got excellent press coverage. TWG’s professionalism, organisational skills and networking skills are second to none, only to be matched by their deep sense of values. I have no hesitation in recommending them!

UYA undertook a formal evaluation of our five year (2015 – 2020) Lottery Funded Project This evaluation involved talking to staff members, families and volunteers, and working with our team to gain insight of our targets and achievements. I have to say how impressed I am with UYA and in particular Pete Crossley. Pete was honest, respectful, patient, and showed great empathy with the service we offer, with the families who have used that service and with the volunteers and staff who deliver it. The words Pete has used to describe the meetings he had with all involved demonstrated real compassion. The end result was an evaluation that made me, and the team proud to be part of Home-Start. Sometimes, when you are head down focussed on what you are delivering, it’s a real joy to hear how your work is viewed by others – so Thank You Pete, we really appreciate all the work you put in to developing an honest evaluation.

The United Youth Alliance (UYA) were commissioned to conduct an evaluation of the Youth Advisor programme, of which I have been a part for two years. At all points throughout the evaluation, Deb & Steve from the UYA kept our interests – as young people – at the heart of the whole process. They were accessible & friendly, helping put members of the team at ease and allowed us to open up and offer honest insights. The methods used allowed us to freely express our thoughts & feelings and reflect on our experiences as we felt appropriate, creating space for us to reflect and empowering us to speak freely. They conducted a thorough review whilst also supporting & standing up for the Youth Advisors where appropriate. They successfully engaged a range of colleagues to compose a holistic & informed image of the programme’s effectiveness and offered critical suggestions for the future that have been of interest to both Youth Advisors and other strategic stakeholders.