Research

Have you, a loved one, or someone you care for experienced symptoms of stress, low mood, sleeplessness or anxiety?

Or symptoms of any other mental health, neurodevelopmental, or behavioural condition?

We know diet plays a big role in brain health—and with the right support, changing how we eat may help ease these symptoms.

We want to understand what types of support people prefer so we can design effective, diet-focused help for the NHS.

If you’re aged 14+ and want to shape the future of care, take our 15 minute survey today. Your voice matters. Completing the survey gets you the chance to earn a £50 voucher.

Complete the BRAIN BITE survey.

Invitations to take part are shared in different ways. In some cases, this invitation is distributed via mailing lists. In other cases, a member of a local service may identify individuals who meet the study criteria and send the invitation on behalf of the research team. The research team has not been given your contact details.

We are interested in hearing from people (16 years old +) living in England who:

• are pregnant.
• have been pregnant in the last 12 months.
• are a parent, guardian or carer of a baby aged 12 months or younger (not as part of paid work).
• have been a parent, guardian, or carer of a baby aged 12 months or under in the last 12 months (not as part of paid work).
• are a partner of any of the above.

The survey asks about views, experiences and any actions taken during periods of hot weather. The findings will help improve guidance, support and resources for pregnant people, partners and caregivers across England.

The survey takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

At the end of the survey, participants can choose to enter a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher.

Any personal data you share with the research team will be handled confidentially. The research team will not have access to your contact details unless you choose to provide them.

More information about this research is available in the Participant Information Sheet. This includes about how your data will be used and stored.

If you are eligible, or know someone who may be, we would be very grateful if you could take part or share the Hot weather survey.

If you have any questions, please contact the lead researcher, Charlotte Parbery-Clark, at charlotte.parbery-clark@newcastle.ac.uk.

Thank you for helping us with this important work.

Charlotte Parbery-Clark
Researcher at Newcastle University and Consultant in Public Health

The Department of Infectious Diseases at the State University Hospital (Rigshospitalet) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in collaboration with University College London are recruiting people newly diagnosed with HIV who have used Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in the past to the PrEPaRe study. They are investigating if the HIV infection is likely to have occurred while the person was on PrEP and, if so, if this was despite optimal adherence to PrEP. They also want to assess how many people have an HIV virus which is resistant to the drugs used in PrEP.

We are trying to understand more about trauma (experienced as a child and in adulthood) and its impact on mental health. Our long-term aim to help improve diagnosis, treatment and support for those who have experienced traumatic events. 

If you decide to take part, we will ask you to provide us with some basic information about yourself, your experiences of trauma (as a child and in adulthood), and your mental health, in order to help answer important research questions. Answering questions about traumatic experiences in your past could cause you some distress. There is no obligation to take part and you do not need to answer any questions that you find upsetting. 

We also want to identify people who would be willing to be approached about taking part in future mental health research projects. 

• Take part online today

The ELSA Study, led by the University of Birmingham, is screening children (age 2-15) and young adults (age 16-17) for type 1 diabetes.

Children and young adults can have a simple finger stick blood test to find out their risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the future. Our research team can visit local nurseries, schools and colleges to carry out the test or you can choose to do it at home.

If the test is negative, the child or young person will not need any more tests in the ELSA Study. If the test is positive more blood tests will establish whether the risk is high

For those at risk the family will be invited to an education session to explain what this risk means for your child's future and what the available options are.

Currently open to families living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Every family who takes part is helping to build a greater understanding of type 1 diabetes.

To find out more, visit the ELSA website, email elsa@contacts.bham.ac.uk or phone: 0121 414 7814.

If you would like to take part, please complete the ELSA eligibility form

Further information is also available from the Research Team at KCHFT by email kchft.research@nhs.net or phoning 0300 0132078

The D-CYPHR programme is supporting health research for children 0-15 years of age. To join the study, interested young people will be required to answer a health and lifestyle questionnaire and donate a saliva sample. By studying thousands of DNA samples together with health information, scientists can begin to see the big picture of how our genes and environment influence physical and mental health.

The programme is led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource.

• D-CYPHR | DNA, Children and Young People’s Health Resource

This study is open to anyone who has ever been diagnosed with a melanoma of the skin, of the mucosal surfaces (e.g., nose, mouth, genitals) or under the nails. It is also open to anyone with a family history of melanoma. The primary aim of MyMelanoma is to recruit and maintain contact with a large group of melanoma patients to build the biggest melanoma data resource ever collected in the UK. We hope this resource will enable researchers to answer key questions about melanoma, for example, how different diet and lifestyle factors may affect the risk of cancer.

If you wish to take part or would like more information please visit www.mymelanomastudy.org

Reduce-Carbon- RandomisED control trial to Understand whether prescribing Choice for inhalErs is influenced by knowledge of the CARBON footprint

This study is for healthcare professionals to explore how inhaler choices are made and specifically whether carbon footprint information changes prescribing recommendations. If you are a healthcare professional, both prescribers and non-prescribers, and would like to take part, please email kchft.research@nhs.net for more information.

CIRCLE Study by the Sea is a research project focused on understanding and improving health and social care services for children and young people in coastal communities.

The study invites children, young people, parents and carers to share their experiences through interviews, focus groups and workshops. These sessions aim to gather insights into how services are currently meeting needs and where improvements can be made, ensuring that the voices of those directly affected are heard and considered.

The study is led by the University of Kent and the University of Plymouth, with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust as one of the research partners, encouraging people to take part.

Find out more and see if you or your family could take part by visiting circlebythesea.org

The EASE trial is testing whether a particular antidepressant could help people with post-stroke emotionalism.

Having emotionalism means a person may unexpectedly cry or laugh, when it is inappropriate, and impossible to stop or control. This often negatively affects the quality of people’s daily lives, for example, through distress, embarrassment and anxiety.

One in five people will have some degree of emotionalism six months after a stroke.

Participants in this research study would initially need to consent to be tested for emotionalism and would then undergo eligibility and safety checks by the relevant NHS trial team. Participation would involve taking the trial medication for six months.

The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and is sponsored by Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It invites adults who have had a stroke and believe they have emotionalism, to take part.

To find out more email: enquiries.easetrial@uea.ac.uk or phone 01603 591400

Taking part could help participants and future stroke survivors.

Heart problems can cause the kidneys to retain water, causing swollen feet and/or ankles (peripheral oedema) occasionally or regularly. We know that changes in the amount of swelling can indicate a patient’s heart condition is getting worse.

This one year long study is testing a new device, called the Heartfelt device, for people with heart failure. The device works automatically to track any swelling in a person’s feet and lower legs as they stand nearby or walk past. As foot and leg swelling can be a sign of heart failure getting worse, the study is investigating whether using the Heartfelt device to pick it up early can help us look after people with this condition better.

Researchers are looking into the causes of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) so the can help improve care for people affected by it. They want to hear from people who have experienced severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in their lifetime, or symptoms or a diagnosis of PMDD.

• Take part in NCMH – PreDDICT

The Support Study assesses the acceptability and use of a mobile app called SuperPenguin, to support carers of children aged eight to 12 who stammer. The app, used in addition to NHS care from our Speech and Language therapists, helps carers support their loved ones’ speech and communication through expert-led guidance and progress tracking, increasing their confidence in supporting a child's communication, while reducing anxiety and stress.