The existing service has enjoyed considerable success, with approximately 60,000 people currently registered, over 10,000 new volunteers in the last year. Volunteers have been involved in a range of studies which have helped improve quality of life and led to some promising pharmaceutical breakthroughs.

Over recent weeks we have discussed the service with people living with dementia and their families, as well as charities, government organisations, researchers and other stakeholders.

This feedback is helping us to understand the current challenges facing users and researchers and how to ensure the service works for them. We are working on a blueprint for an improved dementia research service which will be tested and refined over the coming months.

We are continuing our commitment to involving people with dementia in the design process and to ensure research remains as accessible as possible to people living with the condition. Ultimately, the work should enable more high-quality dementia research to take place through the service and enable more people to actively take part.

We are grateful for the continued support Join Dementia Research receives from the care home community, residents, and their families and friends.

Join Dementia Research stories:

• South London researcher uses Join Dementia Research to boost recruitment
  Olga Borejko spoke about the benefits of using Join Dementia Research to boost recruitment to an NIHR-supported study into dementia with Lewy bodies.
• Taking part in dementia research: Mary’s story
  Mary Stewart-David spoke movingly in a video about her mother’s dementia diagnosis and how this inspired her to get involved in research.
• Ten years in dementia research: Geoff and Susie’s story
  Susie Fenwick was diagnosed with dementia in 2013 and she has since been taking part in research with her husband Geoff to help others with the condition in the future.

Please encourage your residents and their families and friends to sign up to Join Dementia Research.