The role of a Research Champion is to be part of a research project, attending meetings, sharing their own views and experiences, as well as representing the Crohn’s and Colitis community.
We meet regularly with our research champions to keep up to date with the projects, share learning between projects and to share insight from Crohn’s & Colitis UK with the research projects. Research Champions also support us in raising awareness of research, how to get involved and why they enjoy taking part.
We are not currently accepting applications for new Research Champions. Please fill in our Volunteering Enquiry Form if you would like to register your interest for future opportunities.
Our mission is to drive pioneering research that has people with Crohn's and Colitis at the centre.
To ensure this happens, we work with our Research Champions, people living with Crohn’s or Colitis, who volunteer their time and share their experiences in our partnerships with researchers across the UK.
The role of a Research Champion is to be part of a research project, attending meetings to share their own views and experiences, as well as representing the Crohn’s and Colitis community. This is a unique opportunity to tell researchers what matters to people with Crohn’s and Colitis, and make sure this is reflected in their work.
We meet regularly with our Research Champions to keep up to date with the projects, to share learning and to share insights from our work. Research Champions also support us in raising awareness of research, including how to get involved and why they enjoy taking part.
Hear from some of our Research Champions below:
Advocating for research has been part of my career for the last 10 years, around the same length of time that I've been living with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). I'm really excited for these two parts of my life to intersect, and to champion research to further the understanding of UC. It's taken me a long time to accept this disease and I'm still learning to live with it; each day can present a new challenge, but I'm hopeful that through this role we can develop knowledge, insight, and awareness.
Henna
Research Champion
I became a Research Champion because having Ulcerative Colitis has made me acutely aware of how vital Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research is. There is still so much to discover about IBD in order to continue to develop effective treatments. For the last few years I have been a co-applicant and provided public patient involvement on an IBD Study and I hope through the Research Champion role to be able to raise awareness of more IBD Research and the fantastic work that Crohns & Colitis UK does. It means so much to me to be able to contribute in this way to exciting new research that will ultimately improve the lives of those of us living with IBD.
Emma
Research Champion
I became a research champion to provide a voice for patients as well as for healthcare professionals. I have had Ulcerative Colitis for 5 years now and the experience is teaching me so much about myself, the impact on the people around me and how health is perceived in the world. I hope to break down barriers to care through my unique position to drive research that really puts the patient at the centre of care. Research serves as the blueprint for how healthcare is conducted and through this, we can influence positive change to grow and share insights into people’s experiences and build greater awareness of IBD.
Harinder
Research Champion
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, develop new skills and make a difference to everyone affected by Crohn's and Colitis.
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We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Our helpline team can help by:
Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.
Listening and talking through your situation.
Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.
Signposting you to specialist organisations.
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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