A women shouting into a megaphone

Insights: Share clear and simple information

We have produced this guide hoping that the insights we have gained from working with young people can benefit others. As a charity not a commercial organisation, we want to share what we have learned. If we can help you add value to your own digital products through sharing what we have learned about what young people want from digital products, we are keen to do so. The insights from the young people who have steered our process can benefit anyone developing products or services for young people.

Share clear and simple information

When accessing services, young people have two main routes: to ask for recommendations from people they trust or search the internet if they do not feel comfortable asking someone for advice. Either way, they end up researching services online to see if it is right for them.

However, navigating local service information online can be difficult, overwhelming, and confusing, particularly for those with additional needs. Either approach is met with many barriers along the way, due to incomplete information about what is out there and/or frustrating and unreliable signup processes. Read more about the barriers in our blog.

Help young people find support

When looking for support, people are assessing if a service is right for me. The below questions allow young people to make this assessment and rule out any services that are not suitable.

What is it?

What is the service on offer and who runs it?

Can I attend it?

Does it fit my time, budget and lifestyle?

Is it worth it?

What will it do for me and will they do what they say they do?

Would I be comfortable?

Will it meet my access needs?

Assessing suitability and eligibility

Young people are looking to understand what the activity is, what the expectations are, if they are allowed to attend and if it fits their lifestyle, budget and needs. For this, young people need things like a relevant name for the service, a clear description of it, its location, opening times, cost, the age range it includes and any additional requirements – such as women only. It should also give a sense of what people should expect to happen after they sign up and the next steps, such as when they will hear back, or any further actions needed from them.

To understand whether the service fits with their needs, and interests, and if someone like them would be comfortable attending. Here, young people are looking for how this service differs from other services. They want to do what it will do for them, what others think about it and who attends. They would like information on the format of the service – whether it is online or in person, small groups or 1-2-1 and so on, what is expected of them when they attend and whether they can make adaptations such as attending a trial session. Photos and videos also help give a sense of the location and the sort of people who typically attend.

Whether you are talking about your service in person, online or in print, this is the information young people deserve. Make sure you are including this information.

What has this meant for our app?

Based on this feedback, we have aimed to include all the relevant and useful information young people need. We collect information from services about:

The word what? in a speech bubble

What is it?

  • Organisation name
  • Project name
  • Short description
  • Contact information
  • Website link
A checklist and magnifying glass

Can I attend it?

  • Cost
  • Timings
  • Location
  • Format of the service
  • Any eligibility criteria (age etc)
  • How to get in touch
arrow and target

Is it worth it?

  • Reviews from young people
  • A longer description covering the impact of the work
  • The needs, interests and feelings the service relates to.
paper with a heart on it cradled in a pair of hands

Would I be comfortable?

  • An image of the service
  • Image alt text
  • What to expect before and during attendance

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