I actually came across Quotient Sciences by accident, and when I realised, they were based less than 10 miles from home, I decided to look into them properly. They’re doing some fantastic work to advance medical science, and that really caught my interest.

For me, this study was never about the money. I wanted to do something meaningful, try something completely new, and meet new people along the way. The trial I joined is QSC303303, which includes a 20‑day home‑dosing period followed by a 31‑night residential stay. It’s my first ever clinical trial, and if I had one top tip, it would be this-  bring your own pillow and eye mask.

The food has been great, everything I’ve had so far has been tasty. We’ve kept ourselves busy with quizzes (which we actually won!), board games, ping pong, pool, strolling around the courtyard, plenty of TV, and general socialising. There’s also been lots of reading and even a bit of holiday researching thrown in.

As for the inconvenience allowance, I’ll be spending it on my wife. She’s the most important person in my life and has been holding down the house and looking after the family for an entire month while I’ve been away - something we’ve never experienced before. She absolutely deserves it.

I first heard about Quotient Sciences through a friend of a friend and decided to give it a go. For me, it was a mix of two things, the inconvenience allowance is obviously a great perk, but there’s also a real sense of pride in knowing you’re helping with medical science. It’s a win, win situation! 

My trial was a 31-night stay, it’s been so much more social and relaxed than I expected. I spent a lot of time playing pool and gaming with the other volunteers, and since we’ve been able to watch all the football on TV, the atmosphere was brilliant! Even the food was a massive highlight, I’ve never eaten so many puddings!

As a musician, the downtime during the month-long stay has been incredibly productive for me. Having the time and space away from daily distractions allowed me to get in the zone and finish a ton of tracks I’d been sitting on for ages! 

With the money from the trial, I’m planning on doing something really special for my mum and booking her a well-deserved holiday - plus, a few treats for myself. It’s been such a great experience all around, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone curious about volunteering.

I’m Dave, I’m now into my 50s and I’ve been doing clinical trials with Quotient for around fifteen years so I feel very welcome and know most of the staff. 

For me, it started when I worked in Nottingham. I got talking to a colleague who told me she helped to fund her University studies by doing paid medical trials. I looked into it and haven’t looked back since.

I’m self-employed so I have the flexibility to do two or three trials a year. The money is the main motivation but it’s good to take a break from the routine of work. 

The longest one I’ve done was three weeks – I read five books whilst I was there. I’ve recommended several colleagues to Quotient, and I’ve been paid referral fees for recommending; there’s no limit to how many people you can refer and Quotient are always looking for new volunteers. 

I’m ‘old school’ so I don’t spend as much time on my laptop as some of the ‘younger guys’ I’ve done trials with. I like to start the day by reading my book, have a snooze in the afternoon and then watch some TV in the evening. If the weather’s good I like to play table-tennis or get together with the other volunteers for Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit – I’m very competitive and hate to lose! 

Mealtimes are always a highlight, offering another welcome moment to relax, socialise, and enjoy freshly prepared food. Evening meals, in particular, are eagerly anticipated, providing a comforting end to the day and a chance for us to unwind together.

I’ve just completed a trial but already I’m thinking about the next one and how I’m going to spend the inconvenience allowance. 

It really is a great feeling to know that I am helping advance the world of medicines and getting paid for my time too! If you’re still not sure – read the rest of the volunteer stories – it’s like a community of likeminded people who are superheroes – without the capes!