Half a million people sign up to Be Part of Research

Over half a million people from across the UK have now signed up to a flagship new ‘research matchmaking service’, called Be Part of Research.  

The free online service matches people to suitable health and care studies, based on their interests and where they live. 

Be Part of Research is the first UK-wide research volunteer registry covering all health conditions, including public health and social care studies. It’s designed to make it easier for researchers and potential study participants to find each other - making it easier than it’s ever been for people to take part.  

New figures published today show that 528,389 people have registered to Be Part of Research and almost 50,000 people have been recruited to studies through the service, since it launched in July 2022. 

The online service is run by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in collaboration with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  

How Be Part of Research matches volunteers to studies 

Volunteers sign up using their email address or NHS login - and choose the areas of health and care research that they are interested in. They are then matched to suitable studies based on their interests and location, and sent information on how to take part. 

Health and Care Research Wales, National Director of Support and Delivery, Dr Nicola Williams said:  

Thanks to the many people from Wales who have already signed up to Be Part of Research - and those who take part through other routes - it is only through that support that we have the treatments and care today that helps save lives. It's fantastic to see over half a million people signing up to Be Part of Research - you can play your part in improving health and social care too by signing up today.” 

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 two 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 three surgical procedures and a year of additional targeted therapy to prevent the risk of the cancer coming back. She is now disease-free.  

Beatrice was matched to MyMelanoma after she expressed interest in taking part in skin cancer studies when signing up to Be Part of Research. As part of the study, she completed online questionnaires about her lifestyle, health and personal and family cancer history.  

“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.”  

Almost 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 - enabling study teams to recruit suitable participants more quickly and effectively. 

The service has already proved highly effective in supporting study recruitment.  Almost 50,000 people were recruited through Be Part of Research to 41 different studies - giving an average conversion rate of 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 the NHS App (England only).   

Find out more about which studies can use Be Part of Research and to register your interest in using the service.