Manchester volunteers needed for NHS research to Help BEAT Coronavirus

Research for the Future is an NHS supported campaign that helps people find out about and take part in health and care research in and around Greater Manchester. 

Getting involved in research means you will be helping to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and manage illnesses, including those that are being seen in the weeks and months after a coronavirus infection.

The service works by helping researchers find suitable volunteers for a range of research opportunities.  

Over the last year it has played a central role in supporting recruitment to a range of coronavirus treatment and vaccine studies in Greater Manchester, which saw more than 50,000 people across the region take part in vital research.  However, more research into the evolving threat of coronavirus needs to be carried out and you can help the NHS by registering with Research for the Future, which has launched a new Help BEAT Coronavirus campaign.

“The success of the COVID 19 Vaccine in the UK is down to research and every person who volunteers,” said Professor Andy Ustianowski, Deputy Clinical Director for the NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester and National Clinical Lead for the UK NIHR COVID vaccine research programme.

“We now have treatments, as a result of trials, for COVID-19 that are saving lives. Clinical research is vital to fight this pandemic.  

“Everything that we do in medicine should be based on evidence and we get this evidence from clinical trials. 

“By signing up as a research volunteer you are helping to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and manage COVID-19.” 

There are many different ways you can get involved in research, including helping to design a study, being part of a discussion group, completing a survey, helping to test new equipment or participating in a clinical trial of new medications, treatments or vaccines. 

As well as research into coronavirus, Research for the Future has four other areas of particular interest which are promoted via their ‘Help BEAT’ campaigns. These currently include Help BEAT Diabetes, Help BEAT Heart Disease, Help BEAT Kidney Disease and Help BEAT Respiratory Disease. 

Everyone aged over 18 years is welcome to register, whether you have a health condition or not.

Getting involved in research will improve your own health.  Evidence has shown that people who take part in research become better at managing their own health or condition, often leading to better health outcomes.

Registering with the service means you will receive information about research taking place in your area, along with details of how to take part. 

To find out more, click the button below or text RESEARCH and YOUR NAME to 81400 and an advisor will call you back.