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Insight into life on my most recent study.

Mark, (Nottingham, UK)

Insight into life on my most recent study.

Marks blog

The thing I like about this place is the people are amazing, always helpful and considerate.

Hi, my name is Mark, I am a family man and I've been with my partner for 3 years. 
I do these clinical trials to finance the nicer things in life, like a holiday in Lanzarote at Christmas, visiting lots of lovely restaurants and it gives us financial security.

For my latest trial, my partner and I chatted about how we would miss one another as it was quite a long 35 day study and a long time for me to be away from the family.

After passing all prior screening and COVID tests; I said my farewells in the carpark, entered the unit, and signed in. As I entered the building it was like being with family again, I recognised quite a few friendly faces and there were many new ones.

The first two days were a constant buzz of activity, with some tests and assessments all done to make sure I was still fit, healthy and, more importantly, to make sure I am safe.

Third day in and it's the BIG D Day!! Dosing day.

I feel very settled in by this point, I’ve had my breakfast, had some blood tests taken and safety checks completed before and after dosing and now the rest of the day was mine - so I move around my Ward and get to know everyone; I must point out I am pretty outgoing and chatty.

I was able to find out what activities where on in the clinic during my stay such as movie Mondays and had a quick catch up with the clinic’s Volunteer Liaison Officer - who is a real ambassador for the company, helping volunteers any with any queries, collecting your washing for long studies and much more.

The thing I like about this place is the people are amazing, always helpful and considerate. The Liaison Officer will answer any questions or concerns you have or will find somebody who can; it gives great peace of mind and they honestly make it fun and entertaining.

I love the routine of breakfast, dosing, vitals then time to chill, lunch, then more chilling. You can call people, face time, WhatsApp with the free WIFI. If you fancy some ‘you time’ you can chill and watch TV or movies on Netflix, catch up on the News, play FIFA on the Xbox or simply enjoy the board games, puzzles or jigsaws. I personally watch movies and boxsets on Show Box.

It’s been really quiet nice listening to what people are planning to do with their payment they are receiving. For me it's paying for the finer things in life for myself and my lady, and lots of people use theirs to go on holiday and even taking long back packing trips for several months.

Thank you for listening and if you have spare time, currently not working, or would like to be a part of the solution in a world full of medical problems, have a gander at weneedyou.co.uk – a chance to meet amazing people and help medicine advance by being a paid volunteer. Don't miss an opportunity to enrich what you already have, good luck, and maybe I might just bump into you on my next study with Quotient Sciences.

I can't wait to do more trials with Quotient Sciences!

Cara, Nottingham

I can't wait to do more trials with Quotient Sciences!

Cara is a travel enthusiast and a clinical trials volunteer at Quotient Sciences

We’ve been traveling around the world, little steps at a time and Quotient Sciences has helped make this happen!

Hi, I'm Cara, full time mummy, self- employed teacher, and travel enthusiast.

Together with my son we have been exploring the planet regularly within the last two years and well, Quotient Sciences helped make that possible, here's why!

Three years ago I was all ready to head out for New Year's Eve, when my childcare plans back fired. I decided to make a plan, a plan to change my mind set and live happy. So going into the New Year, I created a budget to save money, sold my life luxuries, keeping only the necessities and applied for my first clinical trial.

So it didn't take long after applying, that I was invited for screening. If anything, at least this was a new year's full health MOT. I remember waiting for that call to confirm if I had been accepted, and hearing the words, everything is fine, you can come in for admission was a great feeling.

I don't know what I was expecting, hospital rules, hospital food, lots of bed rest but actually it was so much better than I expected. As a full time mummy, it was actually really nice to come to Quotient Sciences and have time to relax. Whether catching up with a TV series in bed, socialising or playing board games with other volunteers, Quotient Sciences has felt like a second home.

The food is great, so much so that I also seem to put on a little extra weight each time; my favourites are the pulled pork and fish pie. The staff are always friendly and it's nice when you participate every few months and they remember who you are. There are always so many volunteers that come from all walks of life, so it's a really good way to meet people and make new friends, not to mention you are actually doing something to help medical science and will benefit people in the future. So yeah, for me all the above are reasons for why I take part and of course the payment you receive plays a part in it too.

I've come to realise that money isn't everything in this world, but it certainly helps. Before Quotient Sciences, I was using a strict budget, working lots and giving up the luxuries in life to save money, so a top up payment from clinical trials definitely helps.

For me, I love to travel and spend everyday day with my son, seeing the world, escaping comfort zones, meeting people and embracing culture is what I spend the money on. Since my first study, we have visited 28 different countries in over three continents. We've swam with sharks and turtles on the Great Barrier Reef and stayed in a house on stilts in the Andaman Sea, Thailand. Seeing my son adapt to life on the road and try so many new things and still smile is one of the most rewarding things and we are so lucky to have had these opportunities.

I'm really lucky that I have a good network of friends and family who help out with childcare when I'm on a study. Although it does usually mean I have to apply for the more spread out trials, but two or three night stays soon fly by. I actually studied a teaching course whilst on my first trial after another volunteer recommended it, and now work from anywhere online.

I am actually planning to start a degree in English and Languages, so am looking forward to having down time whilst on my next clinical trial to do this.

I highly recommend Quotient Sciences' clinical trials to whatever your walk of life is, if you want to do something that will help someone in the future, earn some extra pennies or even just escape the pressures of life for a bit to meet new people, then this is a great opportunity for you. I can't wait for the next trial!

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What’s not to like?

Maura, UK

What’s not to like?

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I look forward to upcoming studies as a paid rest if not a holiday. It’s a fantastic personal opportunity to get up to date with yourself.

Hi, I’m Maura, 55 years old with a grown up family. 

I worked as a full time teacher for most of my career until I was made redundant a few years ago. When I tried supply teaching instead of applying for another full time job, I found it much more user friendly so decided to get myself some part time jobs to fill the financial breach which does give me flexibility but not the financial security to make the most of the time off I could take. Then a friend recommended to do a clinical trial with Quotient and hey presto I now can take more time off without the financial pressure.

If you are contemplating doing a clinical trial and have come across Quotient Sciences for the first time or just want to find out what it’s all about, then the best thing to do is to make yourself an appointment and get yourself down to look at the facility and hear what they say. The staff at Quotient are transparent about the pros and cons at the outset and they are all lovely at every level.

With the right mind-set (the inconvenience allowance makes that a lot easier), in a group where your fellow volunteers have an array of social skills, I would challenge anyone not to enjoy the experience.

Despite the reactions of some of the people I’ve talked to about it, I feel strongly that it’s a good thing to do for myriad reasons. Who wouldn’t enjoy a boost to their finances? Who hasn’t had or doesn’t have a family member who benefits from medication? Who doesn’t know or hasn’t heard of someone who suffers from a condition that researchers are still battling to find ever more effective remedies for? Who can say that they are not going to benefit from medicine in the future?

In taking part in a trial you will be financially reimbursed for making a small contribution to the development of future medications. As an often unconsidered aside, you will get a heads up as to the state of your health through the screening procedures for the specific trials you apply for. You will have to sacrifice some lifestyle choices temporarily, whether that’s coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate or some other restricted items, but just for a limited time. It’s also good to know that you can have them again and you’ll appreciate them more after the trial is completed.

If your concern is that you might be endangering your own health by allowing yourself to be tested on then you’ll be pleased to find the chances of that happening are reassuringly miniscule, with measured and isolated doses followed by days of copious monitoring. Also you choose which trials you’d like to participate in, you don’t have to do it. We’re hopefully making an incremental contribution to the progress of particular treatments.

I am currently participating in my third trial and I haven’t had an off-putting experience yet. Although with one failed screening due to the specific requirements of the trial and volunteers being sent home for not having followed restrictions prior to admission, I would have to caution you not to “count your chickens before they hatch” with regard to financial expectations.

Mostly, I look forward to upcoming studies as a paid rest if not a holiday. It’s a fantastic personal opportunity to get up to date with yourself. You can do all those written or computer based tasks you’ve not had time for and if you work from home via computer, it’s perfect. I tend to think of it as a weird combination of a holiday-boot camp-retreat. Meals come on a tray and are a few notches up from canteen food but the plus is definitely no domestic chores for the duration.

You do have to lose some of the control you have in your life and fit into a more communal and mostly indoor routine. With the people you befriend, chat to or just observe, being a cross section of life's rich tapestry, there is much enjoyment and entertainment to be had. And if you prefer more solitary pursuits you can stay in bed and be in your own cocoon, avoid the lounges when others are there and get away with being pretty antisocial if that’s what you prefer.

If you like meeting people and enjoy company it’s fun; a group camaraderie soon develops as you are thrown together into the thick of it. From bloods, dosing and ECGs to bingo, jigsaws and quizzes.

I just wish someone had introduced me to clinical trials sooner. Definitely an experience I’d put on my bucket list. And if you don’t enjoy it, at least your bank account will be happier! And when you’re enjoying that extra holiday, making that home improvement, getting rid of debts or whatever you fancy doing with your inconvenience allowance, you’ll probably look back more fondly and contemplate doing another.

Taking part in clinical trials helped me save enough money to fulfil my dream…

Yasmine, Shropshire, UK

Taking part in clinical trials helped me save enough money to fulfil my dream…

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I found myself playing pool, table tennis, board games, having film nights.

This is now my second clinical trial that I have participated in at Quotient Sciences, my first one was three years ago. 

Back then I was very nervous at first and didn’t know what to expect and also wasn’t a fan of needles.

However, on entering the ward for the first time I instantly felt safe and all the staff were so welcoming and helpful. I settled in and started chatting to the other volunteers about their past trial experiences and life stories. I started becoming more relaxed although in the back of my mind I still didn’t know if I could cope with staying inside the building days at a time as I am a very active person and thought the hour and minutes would drag on. I was definitely proved wrong, I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly the days seemed to go. There are lots of different lounges with TVs, Xboxes; and all the volunteers are always around and want to chat. I found myself playing pool, table tennis, board games, having film nights. I made close friends with volunteers and even overcame my fear for needles and became very interested in the actual medical side behind the trials and the staff who work there.

From this experience I was able to save enough money to complete my dream and go travelling around South East Asia and then after, moved over to Australia. I have only recently returned back to the UK and I am now doing my second trial at Quotient Sciences. I was sceptical to see if I would enjoy it as much as my first one. It didn’t disappoint, I have made some great friends. I love meeting new people and even though there are obvious restrictions on what we can do, I can still have a laugh. They have even started a bingo session and quiz days on Tuesdays which gets people together to just have some fun.

In the real life of now working two jobs it’s such a nice break to go in and relax and not having to think too much, apart from what’s for dinner. Big shout out to the man Chris, the house chef there and his home made food. I love his cornflake tart with custard. It is definitely nothing like hospital food which I first expected before my first trial. I think it’s a great way to meet people and earn cash for those dreams, holidays or just something to spend on whatever you want. Whilst doing this, I am also helping the development of science, research and drugs to help those that are in need and this gives me great satisfaction of being able to have the opportunity to do so. It’s a win win in my eyes and it has now opened my friends’ minds to take part in clinical trials. I will most definitely be taking part in more future studies at Quotient Sciences.

It's such a treat to pick up clinical trials at Quotient!

Jayne, Nottingham

It's such a treat to pick up clinical trials at Quotient!

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It's so lovely spending time with people of all ages - playing table tennis in the open air courtyard, shooting pool in the airy conservatory.

I'm Jayne, a vintage stockist. 

Having participated in many clinical trials since 2011, I'm constantly curious as to which trials are available on Quotient Sciences' website. It's such an easy way to pay for life's little extras - retail never sleeps! The clinic is like a retreat for me, which pays me to be a guest!

I heard about Quotient Sciences by word of mouth and I applied for a clinic tour. Being situated in Rushcliffe Country Park, in Ruddington village also, it appealed instantly as I love the great outdoors!

The unit itself has a pleasant, welcoming feel; a number of lounges, soft seating, recliners, but essentially warm and polite volunteers and staff across all professions. It's easy enough to drift in and out of socialising. Volunteers who gravitate to clinical trials you'll find are a pleasant, upbeat and polite bunch with a broad variety of interests where friendships are easily forged. Large TV screens featuring Sky are in all lounges, suiting all tastes. Personally, I’m made up for a sit-in with the sporting greats; Wimbledon, test match cricket, rugby, athletics and more! Hey but there are films and favourites a go-go!

It's so lovely spending time with people of all ages - playing table tennis in the open air courtyard, shooting pool in the airy conservatory. Sometimes a team strikes up. Sometimes a novice steps up. And sometimes you're whooped. Time to read the papers! Daily newspapers and broadsheets are a treat and a catch up in the clinic.

I find it easy to do lengthier studies. Many pull a quickie - two or three days - and can't wait to get back.

Time flies and Chef's multi-choice menu is well anticipated. Scrummy food is freshly prepared and the aroma floats down the corridors. Sometimes, the rarely spotted cornflake tart and custard lands on my tray. Hey ho! There are lighter options; one eats well inside ! Lunch munch is a meal-deal type affair or soup. Plenty though! Yes, one is very well fed.

Which brings me to what it's all about. I value my health. Many people with illnesses can't get through a day the way most of us take for granted. There are a few dietary restrictions just prior to admittance - a small ask - I'm glad to be part of kicking some of these miserable illnesses off the face of the planet. Making medical history is just around the next corner.

The medical team a Quotient Sciences constantly monitor heart rate, blood pressure, , temps etc. - if anything was amiss with my health, they'd find it! EARLY! Invariably, medicines are already on the market. As trials are passed by an ethics board, I'm good with it.

I usually opt for four-figure allowance trials. I've received many allowances ranging from £1000-£3000 per trial. Just for a week or two! That's Glastonbury sorted, Trent Bridge membership, a city break, a night at Rock City, a night at the opera, a dancing. And a posh picnic or two in the Dales!

Time is relative – my experience on a clinical trial

Berni, Nottingham

Time is relative – my experience on a clinical trial

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Did I mention excellent staff and fantastic food?? For those reasons, I will be an active volunteer for Quotient for years to come.

With an interest in life sciences, I have always been intrigued about the development of drugs from concept, to market. Living in Nottingham, I had regularly heard radio adverts for Quotient Sciences with a tagline “We Need You” and decided to investigate further. I was very surprised at how simple the online application was and after a short induction visit; I was placed on the list of volunteers for clinical trials.

Soon after, I selected a trial in which I wanted to participate, and was invited for a screening visit. This process is wholly comprehensive, covering all aspects of our trial visits. What is expected of the volunteers, and what we can expect from Quotient. We also toured the wards so we could experience the environment, which is very comfortable indeed. I had not participated in any other clinical studies so it was good to know the ground rules. Admission is orderly, during which, vital signs, ECG and blood samples are taken. Dosing commonly happens 1-2 days after admission.

“Time is relative”, so said Albert Einstein. Well, there is a lot of free time for volunteers and luckily there is also a lot to occupy that free time during a stay. A number of lounges with TVs, pool and snooker tables, video games consoles, quizzes and competitions, lots to read or time to just kick back and relax in bed during your entire stay. It’s handy to have a laptop, phone or tablet to watch films or listen to music. Time is relevant to Quotient too, the staff are superb, always helpful and informative, and as events happen, it's timed to high precision, sometimes to the second, like dosing and taking observations at regular intervals. It is a very professional set up.

The food is fantastic, there is plenty of choice and portion sizes are generous, if you are not on a restricted intake trial. Decaffeinated hot and cold drinks are freely available during the day, just help yourself. The clinic is situated in a business park, but has an idyllic Rushcliffe Country Park just next door with fabulous views and beautiful wild life.

During my recent clinical trials, fewer observations were taken 24 hours after dosing, so I had even more free time the following days. Naturally, we talk to our fellow volunteers, and typically, we discuss how we intend to spend the money at the end of the trial. Most of us use these funds for regular holidays or home improvements. We also compare conditions and rewards at other clinical trial companies.

Quotient consistently shines out as the best clinical research organisation when I have asked other people to compare different experiences. Even my son and daughter want to participate, which will boost their student finances and I can receive a referral for recommending them to Quotient. These studies are perfect for under-graduates if they can be co-ordinated with University timetables. I have seen many students during my visits to Quotient.

When I discuss my study participation with friends, they are always keen to find out more. They want to know about the conditions, restrictions and financial rewards and I give a positive response to all of these questions.

Quotient has it all… Excellent staff, fantastic food, a big choice of studies, relaxing conditions, great rewards, did I mention excellent staff and fantastic food! For those reasons, I will be an active volunteer for Quotient for years to come.

Lazy chats in clinic lead to exciting travel adventures for our volunteer Jeff

Jeff, Manchester

Lazy chats in clinic lead to exciting travel adventures for our volunteer Jeff

photo of jeff

Lazy chats in clinic lead to exciting travel adventures

Today was the last day of my clinical trial at Quotient - after an 18 night stay, I was returning to the outside world.

Well, let’s face it, for the vast majority of us, most jobs in life we do for the money. Not all, but even so, we weigh up the pros and cons of what’s involved and then decide. Of course, volunteering to assist in medical research isn’t deemed a part-time job, but from the point of view that you are giving up just a small amount of your time in return for an  inconvenience allowance, it feels like...well, for me, better than having a job!

This last study has been very pleasant in many respects, the friendly and helpful staff, the recreations on offer and the fact I have managed to make good progress on my own projects each day. One particular aspect I will take away on this occasion though, has to be a number of inspiring conversations that I’ve engaged in with other volunteers - chats that have clearly made me ponder somewhat and even rethink my life plans.

For sure it’s great when you deeply chew the fat over any fascinating topic and on this study I’ve listened to different folk talk in detail about the many varied places they’ve visited around the globe - and I do mean everywhere! One person told me he had, to date, visited over 100 countries in the last ten years or so (he intends to visit them all in good time). And mostly funded through doing medical studies!

So, whilst sitting in the lounge one day last week, I thought “why don’t I take off for a few months to some more exotic corners of the globe? - see some foreign delights, eat some scary looking food...and maybe open my mind a bit?...and within 48 hrs I’d booked flights to Indochina for a nine-week adventure trekking through five Asian countries.

Hopefully when I return, I can get straight back on a study at Quotient and then decide where to go next ...

Why I decided to take part in clinical trials

Joe, Nottingham

Why I decided to take part in clinical trials

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During my time at the clinic, I thought I might be bored but there really is so much to do - there is an Xbox, PlayStation, Sky TV, board games and a ping pong table that we used for tournaments.

My name is Joe, I’m 25 and from Nottingham. I’ve just completed my second clinical trial at Quotient Sciences.

I’ve always loved going on holiday and the thought of travelling has always been on my mind, I just had one problem - I am not very good at saving money!

Early in 2017, I decided this was my year to get away and I decided I wanted to go and spend the summer, or at least the majority of it, in Ibiza! I love the island but the only thing holding me back was financing my trip.

I asked my dad to help me. The following week, he came home from watching a Nottingham Forest football match and said he had seen an advert inviting volunteers to take part in paid clinical trials. I completed an application form for volunteering at Quotient and promptly had a reply to come to the clinic for an induction to find out more about what’s involved. I was a bit nervous at first and wasn’t sure if it would be for me, but all the staff were so welcoming and explained everything in great detail and I had plenty of chances to ask any questions I had. The nerves soon went and after a month or so, I was taking part in my first clinical trial.

During my time at the clinic, I thought I might be bored but there really is so much to do - there is an Xbox, PlayStation, Sky TV, board games and a ping pong table that we used for tournaments. Elaine, the Volunteer Liaison Officer, organises activities such as bingo, quizzes and crafts. During my first trial in the summer we even got to go on walks in Rushcliffe Country Park next door to the clinic which was amazing. If you want, you can literally lay in bed and spend the days relaxing - the actual medical procedures are only a small part of the time spent at the clinic.

I’m not a fussy eater at all but if you are, there are always several options for breakfast, lunch and tea. I eat a lot but whilst at Quotient I never felt hungry - the food is always to a good standard and the chefs are great.

I made some great friends during my time on the study, a few of them I even keep in contact with now via social media. There were people of all ages and backgrounds so it was a great opportunity to get to know people and we all had some great laughs. For anyone who is looking for a great way to earn some money for doing something that is not only fun and exciting but also very rewarding, I would say go for it.

I am already looking forward to my next trial and being financially and emotionally rewarded - in turn, it means I can plan my next travelling trip or a long holiday.

It's nice to be needed

Kris, UK

It's nice to be needed

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Kris enjoys leaving his very busy lifestyle behind to come and visit Quotient to assist in our medical advancements

I currently work for the railway services as a manager, with a family of two kids and a dog. With both myself and my wife in full time employment, my lifestyle is very busy. Several times a year, I leave behind the hectic schedule - the commute into London daily, the cramped train, the crowds of people and the sounds of sirens and I donate my time to medical science. There are people that would consider me a hero, to assist in the advancement of medicines to ensure they are available in the future for people in far more need than me.

I recall a few years ago hearing an advert on Heart FM in Birmingham on my way to work as a police officer - ‘We Need You’ it said and as it’s  nice to be needed, I made enquiries. Having filled out an application telling them about myself and my medical history, I travelled over to Ruddington to attend my first visit at Quotient.

At the time, I had a very young family with single income and we needed the money to help with a few bills and a holiday and the inconvenience allowance came in handy. Nowadays, the money is used for extra holiday spending or just to top up savings and more recently when my wife wanted a slightly more expensive car.

I recall attending my first trial. The one I had picked had a Friday evening admission and discharged on a Monday morning, so it worked with my schedule at work. I still pick the trials that work well with my work pattern; I have previously completed trials of 16 days.

The facilities are good, on every trial I have made a friend and got to know people from across the UK and had a real laugh and with the staff too.

I have to say the food is one of the things I look forward to. A choice of breakfast cereals, croissant and even muffins on my last visit. Tea, coffee, water and juice is also available (decaffeinated only!). Lunch is a great choice of soup, sandwiches, rolls and wraps, salads, crisps and fruit. Evening meal choices are always good too and the menu has grown over the years and includes a hearty desert choice as well.

I am a bit of a TV fiend, and not getting time in my life very often to watch much television, I take the opportunity to put back the recliners, watch as many movies as we can find, socialise and relax. There are pool tables, table tennis, bingo, books, board games and more. The time really does fly.

Of course, there is the medical study to consider and the procedures this involves which can take some time during the day. I recall a daily evening Monopoly game with a regular group of six of us during one 10-day stay that made the evenings fly.

My family enjoy the rewards that taking part in these studies helps with such as city breaks &family holidays.

Last – but by no means least,  all the staff deserve a mention - they are funny, interesting, bubbly! I moved to Milton Keynes four years ago and have several clinical trials facilities nearer to me and they don’t have a patch on Quotient. The staff make the difference, the facilities are better than others I have visited and it keeps bringing me back.

In summary, I look forward to heading back to Quotient, to have a rest, a break, be well fed, chill out, meet new people- and the real reason we are there - to help make a difference to medicines for our future our children’s futures…

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