Becoming a volunteer

The MRC Epidemiology Unit is involved in many studies that look at obesity, type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. However, you do not need to have one of these conditions to help us with our research. We are constantly looking for volunteers to enroll in our studies and help us improve our knowledge of these diseases.

If you have received an invitation to help us with our research or would like more information, you are welcome to either:

• e-mail us at studyhelp@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
• call us on 01223 330315
• visit the study pages to find about studies now recruiting

How we recruit volunteers

We recruit out volunteers through a variety of methods including:

• GP surgeries
• diabetes clinics
• maternity hospitals
• local press advertisements
• local schools and colleges

If we are looking for volunteers of a particular type we will send out information on what participating in that study will involve and also an invitation to individuals that are suitable for inclusion in our study. If the individual would like to participate they return a reply slip confirming their interest to the MRC Epidemiology Unit.

When a volunteer expresses an interest in one of our studies, we will call them to discuss the study further. In this call we can offer further explanation of what the aims of the study are and will describe the tests that will be carried out during their research visit. If they are happy to be included in the study, we will arrange a suitable time for them to visit a research site. A letter is then sent out to the volunteer to confirm the time, date and location of their appointment.