VOICE: Make your VOICE heard

What is VOICE? 

VOICE is a citizen-involvement organisation, network and digital platform. It uses the experience, ideas and insights of people to ensure that research and innovation focus on the needs and priorities of real people. 

Embedded in The UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing, VOICE also works with businesses from concept to market. It identifies unmet needs and co-designs new, desirable products and services to support healthy, long lives.  

What volunteering activity can I undertake with them?  

VOICE is a platform where researchers can post opportunities for members to engage. From events through to public representation, there are a number of ways for you to get involved in helping to progress ageing research.   

You can take part in as much or as little as you like, remotely or in person. It can fit in with your interests and schedule. Best of all, it’s free of charge to join the network. 

What can I currently get involved with?  

There are opportunities from institutions across the UK including:  

• Improving mental wellbeing for people newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, at Bournemouth University 
• Early diagnosis of head and neck cancer – what helps and hinders?, at Newcastle University

A few current opportunities are highlighted below:

 

1. Understanding access to pancreatic cancer surgery

Due to the high-level skills needed to perform pancreatic surgery, some patients now need to travel much further for treatment. We are interested in exploring if travel time and distance have had an impact on who has had an operation for pancreatic cancer over the past 20 years.

Researchers are looking to speak to pancreatic cancer patients who have been treated or carers who have supported loved ones through treatment in the hope of better understanding the process and experience of accessing surgery. Your input will help ensure that future care is designed to be as accessible and supportive as possible for everyone affected by pancreatic cancer.

Closing date and time: Monday 9 December, 2024, 22.00

 

2. Survey for parents about parent-child relationships

Parental alienation is a concept that affects families in many situations, particularly those going through separation or contact refusal (i.e. where a child avoids a relationship with one parent). It involves a child's unjustified rejection of a parent and is often difficult to assess.

Researchers are recruiting parents of children aged 3-17 to participate in an online survey (on Qualtrics), which should take 15-20 mins to complete. As an expression of appreciation, participants will have a chance to win one of eight £20 gift vouchers.

Closing date and time: Friday 20 December, 2024, 22.00

 

3. Cognitive Function and its Link to Auditory Timing in Older Adults

This study aims to investigate thinking skills (cognition) and their relationship with how the brain processes sound over time (temporal auditory processing). Specifically, identifying factors (predictors) that can indicate overall thinking ability in older individuals.

Cognitive decline, which refers to a decrease in thinking and memory skills, has become a significant health concern in old age, with dementia affecting a large portion of the elderly population. It is crucial to understand the underlying factors and indicators of cognitive decline during ageing. Early detection of dementia can facilitate timely intervention. Therefore, this study aims to assess how well older adults process the timing of sounds, which might help explain differences in their thinking abilities.

Closing date and time: Tuesday 31 December, 2024, 10.00

 

4. Do you use a communication aid? Volunteers needed for a study of user experiences

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a term for a range of strategies, equipment, systems, methods and techniques used by people who have difficulties with speech, language or communication. This research focuses on people who use either high-tech (technology-based systems, such as speech-generating communication aids) or low-tech (symbols, communication boards/books).

You are invited to take part in an oral history interview for a project on the experiences of AAC users (also known as speech communication devices/aids), focusing on past experiences of accessing and using devices and related services.

Closing date and time: Tuesday 31 December, 2024, 22.00

 

How do I get involved?  

To register your interest in signing up for the VOICE platform, please click the button below to complete our volunteering form.