Volunteer for research

This page lists UK research projects that are looking for volunteers. If you live in one of the locations below and would like to help medical research, click on the links and your support could make a significant difference to research progress in this area. 

You do not have to be personally affected by dementia to help as scientists at these centres need healthy individuals for their important work as well as people diagnosed with dementia or mild memory problems.

If you are not based in one of these locations, then unfortunately we do not know of any dementia research projects for which you could volunteer at the moment. A general lack of funding for dementia research means there are only a small number of projects for which volunteers are suitable. Some institutions specialise in important microbiological research that does not need patients and others recruit volunteers direct from existing clinics. But there are still plenty of ways for you to personally support dementia research - click here for other ways you can help the Alzheimer’s Research Trust.

Please note the Alzheimer's Research Trust is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

UK: Brains for Dementia Research

Geographical restrictions: England and Wales only
Click here for more details 

Brains for Dementia Resarch Coordinating Centre 
Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases 
King's College London 
St Thomas' Street 
London SE1 1UL 
tel: 020 7848 8377
email: bdr.office@kcl.ac.uk

UK: Clinical Trials

You can search for clinical trials online. This new website provides a list of clinical trials happening at the moment. You can search the list of trials to find information about them. Each trial has someone listed who you can contact to find out more.

Before you make contact, it is a good idea to discuss it with your GP first. Also check the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the trial to make sure you are eligible, and you are in the right area of the country.

To help you use the site there is a guide to download – please click here.

To visit the site, please click here.

The site is provided by the NIHR Clinical Research Network, and all the trials listed are supported by the NIHR Dementias & Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN).  

UK: Brain Test Britian

The MRC, Alzheimers Society, Cambridge Brain Sciences, and the BBC are undertaking a clinical trial to discover the benefits of brain training.
Click here for more details.

London: MindSearch, Institute of Psychiatry

Geographical restrictions: volunteers within the M25 or areas with good transport links
Click here for more details.

MindSearch, PO Box 84
Institute of Psychiatry
De Crespigny Park
London SE5 8AF
tel: 020 7848 0909
email: mindsearch@iop.kcl.ac.uk

Oxford: Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA)

Geographical restrictions: volunteers in Oxfordshire and bordering neighbours
Click here for more details.

OPTIMA
University Laboratory of Physiology
Parks Rd
Oxford OX1 3PT
tel: 01865 231457 or 01565 617189
email: phar0023@herald.ox.ac.uk

Southampton: Memory Assessment and Research Centre (MARC)

Geographical restrictions: volunteers in Hampshire region, transport can be provided if needed
Click here for more details.

MARC, Moorgreen Hospital
Botley Road
West End
Southampton, S030 3JB
tel: 023 80475216
email: Janet.Dearlove@hantspt-sw.nhs.uk  

NHS Cord Blood Bank

Geographical restrictions: accepts cord blood donations from Barnet General Hospital, Northwick Park Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Watford General Hospital

Note: The bank collects for the primary purpose of transplant, only those units unsuitable for transplant are used for research provided the donor has given permission.
Click here for more details.

NHS Cord Blood Bank
Deansbrook Road
Edgware
Middlesex
HA8 9BD
tel: 0800 783 5870
email: cordblood.donation@nbs.nhs.uk 

TriMe: Trials in Mental Health

Click here for more details.  This site aims to:

• Give you information about mental health research that is happening, so you can think about getting involved.
  
• Help you make informed choices about the best research for you.
  
• Improve recruitment into high-quality mental health research by improving communication between you and the people running the trials.
  
• Contribute to a better understanding of mental health research by the public.