Research: Not just for researchers

Our Research Network volunteers – who all have personal experience of dementia – make a unique and irreplaceable contribution to dementia research.

The Network includes people living with the condition as well as carers and former carers, and celebrates its 20th anniversary later this year. 

We’ve committed to spending at least £150 million on dementia research into care, cure and prevention over the next decade.

The Research Network makes sure that the research we fund and support is relevant and meaningful to people affected by dementia.

They review every application for research grants that we receive.

It’s an absolute pleasure to work with such passionate and dedicated volunteers. They review every application for research grants that we receive. They also support researchers at every stage of their work, from developing grant applications and designing studies, through to sharing their results and findings. This all gives our research the best chance of having an impact in the real world. 

Time and again, researchers tell us how the experience and perspectives of Research Network volunteers have made an invaluable difference to what they do.

Research isn’t just for researchers. If you have personal experience of dementia, you may be able to use this to help shape the research that will fight the condition by joining our Research Network.

No special scientific knowledge or research experience is needed – you are already an expert in how dementia has affected your life.