1. Help others

“I wanted to take part in a study that might benefit people in the future,” says one participant.

Mukesh explains, “Even if it’s a micro step we take, if everyone does it, it helps towards a solution or understanding.”

“I would encourage people to take part in research, if you’ve got the time. It’s very important to help and support others. I’d definitely do it again,” says participant Mary.

Another participant sums up, “It’s helping a lot of people, so why not!”

2. Make research possible

Participants are key to research, as another participant reflects “From my own experience I couldn’t recommend it more highly. You feel good about making a positive contribution because human beings are needed for this research.”

“Give it a try and see what happens. You can make research possible,” adds Mukesh.

He explains how researchers require enough people to take part in research studies, “If you’ve got critical mass, you can get good results, and help make sure the research is statistically sound. ”

3. Give back to the NHS

“I’ve had a lot of interactions with hospitals over the years including a new knee, treatment for breast cancer and I had meningitis as a child,” says Participant Jane.

“I can’t give blood because I had cancer. I thought taking part in research is one way of giving back to the NHS. I thought it was the least I could do,” she reflects.

4. Learn about your own health

Mukesh highlights how taking part in research benefits not only others. “Once you give it a go you realise how wonderful it is and how much it can help people and help yourself too. I’ve realised now how much now diet can affect our health,” he says.

Shila, wife of participant Mukesh adds, “The best thing was I learnt with him, even though I didn’t take part. I’m diabetic so it was interesting for me to see how this research could help with prediabetes.”

“Taking part in a study like this, you get the kind of tests you wouldn’t get done normally like glucose tolerance tests”, explains another BETA participant.

Another participant adds, “The other thing that is very positive about taking part in research, is if there are any test results where you are not within the normal range, your GP is notified.”

She reflects, “Through the study the data on my cholesterol levels picked up some high cholesterol and I’m now able to do something about it. Inconsequently, the study may have helped me with identifying another underlying situation I didn’t know I had.”

5. Reimbursement and free food

Often through taking part in our research, participants are given reimbursements and vouchers for our cafe in thanks for their time and contribution.
Shila explains, “The perks are there. You can get coffee and cake – well not the cake if you’ve got diabetes.”

“I used to get wonderful porridge afterwards my morning visits” says Suzanne.

Another participant highlights the other perks, “We had a payment at the end, which I’d completely forgotten about. It’s lovely. I used it for this year’s festival fund. Plus, I got my mileage paid too, which I hadn’t expected.”

6. You can stop taking part anytime

When taking part in a study you can choose to leave at any time, as Participant Jan highlights.

“I would say definitely give taking part in research a go because you can always opt out at any stage if you’re not sure”, she says.

7. Meet new people

Another positive impact several participants experience is the social aspect of taking part in research.

A participant explains, “On the study that lasts nine months, invariably you get to know people. I enjoyed the interaction with the staff.”

“An unexpected consequence of the study was having lovely interactions not only with staff but with other people on the study,” she says.

Jan continues, “There were three of us that often had our blood tests at the same time and that was great. It was a really good experience. We talked about how we were finding the study. I found that really supportive.”

8. Make history

Through taking part in research, participants help researchers learn about our health and make discoveries.

As a participant highlights, “I hope so much whatever the study has found about broccoli soup is going to help people like me not get diabetes in years to come. That will be massive.”

She reflects, “I can tell my kids and they can tell their kids that 100 years ago, your great granny took part in something. Wow!”

9. Have fun

Several participants of the BETA study point out another benefit of their experience, “I don’t know if it was supposed to be, but it was great fun! When the study finished, I missed it,” says Jan.

“I’m not sure what I expected but I hadn’t realised it would be lots of fun,” concludes a participant.

• Find out more about how you can take part in our research