Aim To draw on the authors’ experience of research conducted with vulnerable young women to argue for the use of storyboards in focus groups.

Background Creative methods are used increasingly in qualitative research to generate richer data and promote more meaningful participation.

Discussion This paper discusses the authors’ experiences of using storyboards in participatory research. This approach has a number of advantages such as promoting participation and engagement, empowering participants and enabling them to take more control over the research process.

Conclusion Using creative techniques with more traditional qualitative approaches may create additional, in-depth data as well as increased participation. Such approaches could be of value in nursing research in which patients, clients and service user perspectives are often vitally important.

Implications for practice Using creative methods in qualitative research promotes participation.