Volunteers are essential to our work. Members of the public are our greatest strength and we could not do our work without their help.
Here, we share stories from members of the public across the UK who are involved in many different types of research.
Jon, South West London
Jon Cook shares his experience of taking part in the OUTREACH study. The study assesses if patients take their blood pressure medication as prescribed through urine samples. Jon regularly takes the medicines Ramipril and Amlodipine to manage his high blood pressure.
Bea Buckley, Reading
After being treated for melanoma, Bea wanted to give back by taking part in research. She signed up to Be Part of Research and was matched to a major skin cancer study.
Monica, West Norfolk
Monica joined the BISIL study in 2023 when the leg ulcer she developed wouldn't heal with antibiotics.
She was treated with a new type of wound dressing. And after less than a year, Monica is already noticing an improvement - with her wound now half the size.
Arnold, Neath
Arnold was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015 and by the spring of 2016 had surgery and started on the Add Aspirin research study.
Arnold had has always seen the benefit of research and finding new treatments, especially after his twin brother passed away from AIDS in 1994.
Alka, Buckinghamshire
Alka Pandey took part in the LOLIPOP 100K study at Wycombe Hospital in Buckinghamshire. The study is inviting people of South Asian heritage to undergo tests to help researchers understand why conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are more common in this group.
Alexis, Surrey
Alexis Faulkner volunteered for the REACH Pregnancy Circle Trial. This trial brings together groups of 8 to 12 pregnant women who are at similar stages of pregnancy and live near each other.
The study is hoping to understand how a woman-centered, community-based environment can improve antenatal care.
Jordan, London
After a sudden diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, Jordan Downes made it his mission to learn as much as possible about the condition and get involved with research.
Almost 2 years on from his diagnosis, Jordan is back to enjoying a healthy and active lifestyle - thanks in part to a NIHR funded research study.
Mercy, Lambeth
Mercy Njoku was invited to take part in the NIHR-supported HEAL-COVID trial after being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in February 2022.
"The HEAL-COVID trial was the first time I took part in research that directly affected me, and I would do the same again in the future to help others."
Nicholas, London
Having worked for a private ambulance service for over twenty years, Nicholas caught COVID-19 and became a patient himself, so he signed up to take part in research.
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Sarah, Hertfordshire
Sarah was forced to stop donating blood after a blood transfusion. But COVID-19 vaccine research gave her the opportunity to help others in healthcare again.
