<p>Aim To draw on the authors’ experience of research conducted with vulnerable young women to argue for the use of storyboards in focus groups.</p> <p>Background Creative methods are used increasingly in qualitative research to generate richer data and promote more meaningful participation.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Implications for practice Using creative methods in qualitative research promotes participation.</p>