The Research for the Future project linking patients with research studies they could take part in has been recognized with two prestigious awards.
The Greater Manchester Clinical Research Network Awards saw the team win the public engagement category for their tireless work promoting the benefits of research to patients and their innovative approach – including dressing up as Alice in Wonderland characters for Eccles Festival.
There was also a special award for the team’s advisor, Lillian Fallows, in recognition of the way she goes above and beyond what’s asked of her to make sure patients and researchers get the best possible help from the project.
Research for the Future already has a large database of people with diabetes, heart and respiratory problems who want to be involved in research. This saves times for researchers looking to involve people in their studies as patients have already expressed an interest in taking part. Also, when volunteers register they are asked not only for some basic medical information but also what specific kind of research they are happy to be involved in. This means the team can more easily connect the right candidates with the right studies.
Programme Manager, Katherine Grady said: “We are delighted that our campaigns to ‘Help BEAT’ diabetes, heart and respiratory problems are helping patients and researchers to push forward new research helping to find new treatments. These awards from our colleagues in the research community mean so much and confirm how important it is that we work together to try and beat these conditions.”
The Clinical Research Awards also saw Neurologist Dr Adrian Parry-Jones as a runner-up in the investigator of the year category and Engagement in Research Manager Jess Zadik a runner-up in the public engagement category for her work on a project around stroke and oral health.
Contact the Research for the Future team on their website, by email or phone 0161 206 3636.