Patients, carers and the public play a vital role in the research we support. Research relies on people volunteering their time to take part as research participants, and we recruit thousands of people to studies in the South West every year.
Be Part of Research is a service that makes it easy for the public to learn about and search for research studies. Discover how research studies are designed, what happens when you decide to take part and the importance of taking part. You can:
Once you’ve found a study, you can see all the details including who to contact and ask
to take part.
Whether you have been diagnosed with a condition or not, everyone can take part in research. Find a study that’s right for you.
Register with Join Dementia Research so that you can be told when a study starts in your area and the researchers are looking for people just like you. There's no obligation to take part in any study, but by registering, you’ll find out when new opportunities become available.
The service is delivered in partnership by the NIHR, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland.
Research Champions volunteer their time to help spread the word about health and care research to patients and the public, and especially those groups who are currently less likely to take part in research. They also help research and healthcare staff understand more about the experiences of those who take part in research.
They are patients, carers, members of the public, people who have taken part in a research study before, as well as those who haven’t. Something that they all have in common is that they are passionate about getting more people involved in research so that we can develop better care and treatment for everyone.
What you contribute as a Research Champion will be shaped around your interests, skills and time. Some commit to regular activities while others may volunteer as opportunities arise. Research Champions may volunteer to get involved in some of the activities listed below:
Contact our Communications and Engagement Manager, Sophie Henderson, on sophie.henderson6@nhs.net
Research is a partnership between participant and researcher. Every year, we ask hundreds of people who have volunteered for health research to feedback on their experience so we can make improvements through the Participant Research Experience Survey.
If you've recently taken part in a research study across Cornwall, Devon or Somerset, we'd like to hear about your experience. You can access our digital surveys using the links below:
If you would like a paper copy of the survey, or would like to receive one in a different format, please contact sophie.henderson6@nhs.net
If you are a researcher or healthcare professional who would like to offer the survey to your study participants please contact sophie.henderson6@nhs.net
Your experiences can help shape local research and inspire others. If you've taken part in research or been involved in supporting it in any way we would love to hear from you. If you're happy to share your experiences please contact our Communications Team:
Sophie Henderson, Communications and Engagement Manager sophie.henderson6@nhs.net
Toby Leigh, Communications Officer toby.leigh@nhs.net
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