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.
Shami, Suffolk
After being diagnosed with diabetes, Shami suffered with two painful bouts of kidney stones within two years. The clinicians found he had impaired kidney function. Luckily he was referred to a drug trial, which helped prevent the condition from worsening.
Kathryn, Oxfordshire
Amid a gruelling battle with long COVID, Kathryn wanted to take part in a study into the impact of infection to help others. She took part in a study which enabled researchers to identify abnormalities in the lungs of long COVID patients who are experiencing breathlessness.
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.
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Ore-Ofe, Kent
Ore-Ofe, who has sickle cell disease, wants to build a better world for others with the condition by taking part in research. The study is looking at whether a new treatment improves women’s and babies’ health in pregnant women with sickle cell disease.
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."
Gulliver, Buckinghamshire
Gulliver was able to return to work after taking medication for severe depression as part of a research trial. The data analyst is urging others to consider taking part in studies to shape the future of healthcare.
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.
Sarah, London
Sarah was committed to the idea of giving blood as a blood transfusion had helped in her recovery. She heard about a vaccine trial which was a way of helping through the COVID-19 pandemic.
