(www.joindmentiaresaerch.nihr.ac.uk) is still being widely promoted across the UK and members from the West Midlands primary care Patient Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) team continues to actively develop and support  new ways of approach to spread the word to a wider audience, and increase the volunteer recruitment rate for the region 

As a reminder, the initiative is part of the 2020 Dementia Strategy and  provides a platform for members of the public to register their interest in volunteering to participate in dementia-related research. By signing up to the register, volunteers provide their consent to be contacted by researchers whose studies have been downloaded onto the system. Anyone over the age of 18 can sign up. You do not need to have a dementia-related diagnosis.  It is also open to family members, carers and friends. 

The aim of the Dementia Strategy is for every newly dementia-diagnosed individual and their carer to be signposted to JDR. The target set is 25% of those diagnosed to be registered with 10% of the volunteers participating in research.  By 2020 a target of 100,000 volunteers to be registered on JDR has been set.

As at 31 January 2019 nationally 39,145 volunteers had signed up, 34,193 do not have a diagnosis, 4,952 do.  Within the West Midlands region 48,177 people have a diagnosis. 2,439 volunteers have registered, 2064 without a diagnosis, 375 with one. 

How can you support us?

We would like extend a warm welcome to Karen Cooper, Practice Manager from the Bulkington Surgery on becoming the West Midlands’ first Professional JDR Champion within a GP setting. Karen and the surgery already provide dementia support and information to clients, were keen to share research opportunities and will be actively promoting JDR within the surgery.  

If you would like to know more about becoming a JDR champion and have access to up to date information, promotional material and much more please visit the JDR website: https://news.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/further-information/help-spread-the-word/champion/

If you would like any further information about JDR, how we may be able to assist you with promoting JDR or receive JDR promotional literature, please do feel free to contact your local primary care team member or Jacqueline Smart on jacqueline.smart@nihr.ac.uk