Published: 08 August 2024
Over half a million people from across the UK have now signed up to the NIHR’s flagship new ‘research matchmaking service’, called Be Part of Research.
The free online service matches people to suitable health and care research, based on their interests and where they live.
Be Part of Research is the first UK-wide research volunteer registry covering all health and care specialties. This includes public health and social care studies. It is designed to make it easier for researchers and potential study participants to find each other.
New figures published today show that 528,389 people have registered to Be Part of Research since it launched in July 2022. And 50,000 participants – almost 1 in 10 – have taken part in research through the service.
How Be Part of Research matches volunteers to studies
Volunteers sign up using their email address or NHS login. They choose the areas of health and care research that they are interested in and are matched to suitable studies based on their interests, location and other personal information. They are then sent information on how to take part.
The UK-wide service is delivered in partnership with the NHS and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Be Part of Research is also available directly through the NHS App homepage – greatly simplifying the registration process for volunteers.
NIHR Chief Executive and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, Professor Lucy Chappell said:
“Every time someone receives a new drug or treatment, it’s because of the many people who took part in health and care research. I would therefore like to thank the half a million Be Part of Research volunteers for the contributions – while encouraging everyone to consider signing up to this important service.
“While this milestone is a fantastic achievement, to ensure that UK research can continue to unlock advances in treatment and care and improve NHS services we’re aiming to encourage 1 million people to sign up to Be Part of Research by next year.
"The service greatly supports the NIHR’s mission to deliver world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth."
Dr Vin Diwakar, National Director of Transformation at NHS England, said:
“We’re committed to helping more people - and more diverse groups of people - get involved in research and it’s fantastic that over half a million people have already volunteered for Be Part of Research. Whether you’re in good health or have an existing health condition, I’d encourage everyone interested in getting involved in health research to tap ‘Be Part of Research’ in the NHS App to help develop new treatments that could improve people’s lives now and in the future.”
New mum encourages others to sign up after being matched to major skin cancer study
A woman from Reading treated for skin cancer has encouraged others to sign up to Be Part of Research, after it led to her joining a major online trial.
Beatrice was diagnosed with stage 3 acral melanoma 2 years ago. A rare type of skin cancer, acral melanoma is found on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or under the nails.
She developed a mole on her foot while pregnant with her twin sons, but thought it was a verruca. 10 months after giving birth, she noticed the dark spot had grown and was now bleeding.
Beatrice said: “It came back as malignant melanoma. I was really shocked. To be in that position when you've got 15-month-old twins is really awful. And no matter how hard you try, your mind goes to dark places.”
She had 3 surgical procedures and a year of additional targeted therapy to prevent the risk of the cancer coming back. She is now disease-free.
After her treatment, Bea was keen to give something back and take part in research. Using the Be Part of Research service, she was matched to MyMelanoma, which aims to become the largest skin cancer database in the world.
“Health is the best commodity that we have; it's our biggest wealth. It's important that we learn more and more about diseases for future generations - to improve their chances if they get diagnosed.”
She is now encouraging others to take part in vital health and care research by signing up to Be Part of Research.
“It’s been a really easy, seamless experience. Life is busy isn’t it? I'm not sure how else people would find out about studies that they would be eligible for.”
Over 50,000 participants recruited via Be Part of Research
Despite over 1 million people taking part in health and care research every year, it is not always easy for researchers to recruit suitable participants to their studies.
Be Part of Research gives researchers and sponsors free and easy access to research-engaged volunteers from across the UK. This enables study teams to recruit suitable participants more quickly and effectively.
The service is also recognised as a key initiative in the DHSC’s response to the Lord O’Shaughnessy report on the life sciences industry and research with a target of reaching 1 million registrations by April 2025.
The service has already proved highly effective in supporting study recruitment. More than 50,000 participants were recruited through Be Part of Research to 41 different studies. The average conversion rate is over 11%.
Be Part of Research identifies suitable volunteers based on age, ethnic group, sex, location and areas of research.
There are 40 studies actively using the service. A further 14 have already used the service and are now closed to recruitment. These range from large-scale interventional studies (including vaccine trials), to lifestyle questionnaires and observational studies.
Find out more
To learn more about taking part in research and to sign up for a free Be Part of Research account visit www.bepartofresearch.uk or sign up using NHS login (England and Wales).
To find out more about which studies can use Be Part of Research and to register your interest in using the service, visit: www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/recruit-to-your-study.