Why volunteering is important

We know there is no BioResource without the willingness of patients and members of the public to come forward and contribute to the health research studies we facilitate.

Whether it's our bioinformatics team crunching volunteer data, our nurses taking blood and making them feel comfortable at appointments, or our recruitment team welcoming new people to the organisation; everything we do is centred around our volunteers, and we are so incredibly grateful for every single one of them. Here's what our dedicated volunteers have to say about working with us! 

Sukhjeen Kaur

Volunteer and CEO and Founder of Chronically Brown:

"I donated to NIHR BioResource because I didn't feel that I was represented well in health research.

"The experience was smooth, simple and really clear. It felt really safe!

"It makes me feel quite proud that I can help people that are exactly like me."

Sukhjeen talks more about her experience volunteering with us.

Hugo

Seventeen-year-old BioResource volunteer:

"For years I struggled with how I felt, then I got ill, really ill. With mental illness, some even don’t understand when you use the word ‘sick’ to describe your condition.

"I signed up to health research because I know times will change and no parent or sibling will ever have to go to sleep or leave the house with the fear their loved one will have taken their own life by the time they return.

"I want people to know change is coming."

Hear more from Hugo and his journey. 

Adrian

"The BioResource Centre Cambridge has a great facility next to Addenbrooke’s Hospital but, for some studies, staff even came to my home to take samples. They really will work around your availability.

“Potentially these studies can save lives and stop people suffering. The research can’t happen without volunteer donations.

“The BioResource has lots of friendly people working for them. They look after you well and if, like me, you don’t like the sight of blood the staff will put you at your ease and take your mind off of it. There really isn’t a reason not to take part."

Read more about Adrian's story.

Des

Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) volunteer:

"If this study helps us understand how sickle cell disease affects the African Caribbean Community, it will be really helpful. By collecting specific information, we can potentially create better treatments and support systems for our community.

"This could improve the quality of life for individuals and help reduce health inequalities. In the long run, it means healthier lives, more awareness about the disease, and better medical research."

Find out more about the IBHO BioResource

Interested in volunteering with the BioResource?

If you are interested in volunteering with the BioResource to be part of future research we support, whether or not you have a health condition, we’d love to hear from you.

You can keep up to date with NIHR BioResource on X and LinkedIn.