The UK’s largest health research programme is set to open 27 new clinics this month, including in Wokingham.
Mobile clinics will visit supermarket car parks in a total of 10 new locations.
Our Future Health aims to transform the prevention, detection and treatment of conditions such as dementia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
With up to five million volunteers across the UK, the goal is to create one of the most detailed pictures of people’s health.
At their clinic appointment, as well as having a blood sample and some physical measurements taken, volunteers will be offered information about their own health, including their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
In the future, volunteers will also be given the option to receive feedback about their risk of some diseases and have the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research studies.
Working in collaboration with the NHS, the programme is sending invitations to people who live near the new clinics.
Anyone over the age of 18 can join by signing up online at www.ourfuturehealth.org.uk, completing an online health questionnaire, and booking a short clinic appointment.
Helga Wong, 22, who joined the Bristol clinic, said: “I’m excited about how wide the Our Future Health data pool will be.
“As someone from an ethnic minority who lives in the UK, I wanted to contribute to better healthcare for people of all genetic backgrounds in the future.”
Dr Raghib Ali, chief executive and chief medical officer of Our Future Health, said: “As we open new clinics each month across supermarket car parks and high street pharmacies, our goal is to make it easier than ever for ordinary people across the UK to take part in health research.
“We need every kind of person to take part, so that researchers can use Our Future Health to make discoveries that benefit everyone.”
Our Future Health is rolling out on a region-by-region basis to invite adults across the UK to join the programme.
Volunteers who don’t live near a location where Our Future Health appointments are currently available can join now at www.ourfuturehealth.org.uk and be notified when new appointment locations become available.
New locations will be announced on the Our Future Health website and social media channels.
Our Future Health is an ambitious collaboration between the public sector, life sciences companies and leading UK health charities.
