20th May 2025
20 May is International Clinical Trials Day and in support of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) campaign ‘Be Part of Research’, we’re encouraging you to think about getting involved.
Be Part of Research is a free UK-wide service from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), in collaboration with the NHS and devolved nations. The online service matches volunteers to studies from across the UK – making it easier than ever to take part in vital health and care research. Be Part of Research has already matched more than 90,000 people to over 55 studies into a range of conditions – including the UK’s first-ever norovirus vaccine trial. Nearly 600,000 people have already signed up to Be Part of Research, however, to improve health and care for all of us, we need everyone to get involved.
Through Be Part of Research, you can find and take part in research into nearly every major health condition – as well as social care research. Sign up online and choose the areas of health and care research you’re interested in. You’ll be matched to suitable studies, based on your interests, taking place online or at locations near you. You’ll be sent clear information by email about what’s involved and how you can take part, if you choose to. Before enrolling in a study, you’ll discuss the opportunity with the research team. They will check that the study is right for you and answer any questions you may have. From a simple survey that you could complete in minutes from your sofa, to testing a new innovative medication, Be Part of Research allows you to choose how you can take part in life-changing research.
Why take part in research?
- Life-changing treatments start with people like you.
- Every time someone receives treatment for a health condition, it’s because of the many people who took part in health and care research. But to improve health and care for all of us, we need everyone to get involved.
- Without research, there would be no Covid vaccines – or no new treatments for cancer. It’s the people who take part in research who make these discoveries possible.
- In the UK, around a million people just like you take part in health and care research every year. But with your help research can go further, faster.
- Improving access to research opportunities is key to delivering world-leading health and care and improving NHS and care services.
- Health and care research improves health, changes lives – and leads to new and better treatments and care. It seeks to prevent diseases and improve our quality of life and wellbeing, as well as how to cure diseases.
- Research can only change lives with your help. New breakthroughs in care and treatment are only possible thanks to the contributions of people who take part.
- Taking part in research can be super simple – as well as incredibly rewarding as you’re contributing to your health and the health of others.
Speaking on behalf of the NI Clinical Research Network, Director Professor Jonathan Jackson, said:
“The desire held by those of us who are involved in clinical trials research is to contribute to a process that will lead to continuously evolving improved health care for the communities we serve. I am privileged to lead a large multi-professional team of clinicians and support staff who are committed to ensuring that the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and indeed the other Health Trusts in Northern Ireland, play our part in building an evidence base for improved health care. On this special day I would want to thank the NICRN team in particular for the part they play in this, and to our patients for signing up to participate in ground breaking clinical research trials.”
Find out more from Jayden, who is a study to evaluate Mavacamten in adolescents with Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy:
How did you hear about the Scout HCM Study?
I attend the Heart Centre for Clinic every 2-3 months with Professor Casey and was told about the trial during my appointment.
What made you want to participate in research?
I want to help other children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and to raise awareness about this condition and research.
It will be interesting to see if mavacamten works for me. I would really like to get involved in more sports. I play football with my brothers and in school. I would like to take up jujitsu in the future.
What has your journey/experience on the Trial been like so far?
I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy shortly after I was born and have been taking medication ever since to manage the condition. I have spent a lot of time in hospital in my life and I had surgery last year in Dublin to have a pacemaker inserted.
Has the trial been easy to follow?
Jayden attends clinic every 3 to 4 weeks in line with the study visit schedule to be reviewed by the cardiology and research team. During the visit his vital signs and bloods are monitored, an echocardiogram, and ECG are performed.
At first I had a fear of needles, but I don’t even mind having my bloods done anymore. At first Jayden had a fear of needles, however he has admitted that he does not even mind having his bloods done anymore. I take a tablet daily at 8pm and when I was recently seeing my consultant in Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital I was told that I’m actually the first young person in the UK on the study! I find the cardiology and research team really easy to talk to.
What would you say to others considering getting involved or to encourage others to be part of research?
Think of others and how this could impact their life, and how beneficial it could be towards future treatments. A child could be given a 2nd chance in life and living life to the fullest.
You can find out more about Be Part of Research including how to sign up on their website.