We need all kinds of people to take part in Our Future Health, so that researchers can identify variations in how diseases begin and progress in people from different backgrounds. 

Three years after launching to the public, we’re now the most diverse large-scale research programme in the UK. But there’s still work to be done to make sure everyone has the chance to join.

Earlier this year, we launched our Community Champions programme, asking members of the public to come forward and help us spread the word about Our Future Health. 

The response was overwhelming. Over 100 people across the UK – from Leeds, to Birmingham, London and beyond – volunteered to become a Community Champion and talk to those around them about our mission.

We caught up with three of these Champions, Imran, Huda and Hari, to hear how they’re getting on so far.  

‘This is a chance to bust health myths’

The first thing 25-year-old Londoner Imran Razak did after becoming a Community Champion, was contact his local mosque. Now, he’s the proud host of a monthly booth there to help spread the word about Our Future Health. 

“I first joined the programme as a volunteer a couple of years ago,” says Imran. “I wanted to support the NHS and give doctors the right tools to serve the UK’s demographic. We need more preventative health measures for everyone, because they’ll lead to better outcomes for patients and our health service.” 

Imran says he knew he wanted to be a Community Champion as soon as he heard about the opportunity. He felt motivated by the chance to speak to young adults in his community, as they have often been under-represented in previous health research. 

“There’s a lot of health misinformation out there,” he says. “It’s often circulated on social media to young people. I don’t think my generation always gets as much exposure to good, reliable alternatives to this misinformation. Being a Community Champion feels like a chance to bust some of the health myths young people might be hearing and rebuild trust in healthcare. 

“I’m having a lot of fun connecting with my local community, banging the drum for Our Future Health and making sure that people understand what we’re asking them to be a part of.  

“I’d encourage others to take part and be curious about this amazing thing that’s happening on our doorstep,” Imran says. “Maybe you feel that healthcare isn’t always tailored to your needs. Well, this is your opportunity to change that and help medical professionals understand more about preventing, detecting and treating diseases in your community.”

‘Signing up was really straightforward’

Huda Alshameri, from Birmingham, is a mother of three who’s currently studying for a master’s degree in public health.  

“Through my studies, I know how vital it is to engage under-represented communities in health research,” says Huda. “We need everyone’s involvement to really tailor health services to meet real needs. 

“I applied to be a Community Champion for Our Future Health because I wanted the chance to contribute to the effort in a meaningful way. 

“Signing up was straightforward and the training sessions really boosted my confidence, providing me with practical skills to take out into the community. Things like how to talk about the programme, share accurate content, and engage with people.”

Huda has hosted an event at the Yemeni Community Association in Birmingham, and says the turnout there was encouraging. 

“People expressed a lot of interest in Our Future Health. I want to help more people understand how the information being gathered could, over time, generate valuable research into many diseases and conditions, inform policymakers and other stakeholders, and lead to more tailored interventions. 

“This has been such a rewarding experience. I’d recommend getting involved if you are able to – every contribution moves us closer to a healthier future.”

‘I want to democratise healthcare innovation’

After retiring from a career in IT, Loiner Hari Joshi founded Rangoli Radio in 2020 – a radio station celebrating the lives of the Hindus living in Yorkshire. Today, he works as its director, and says the station is proud to have dedicated listeners throughout the UK, and internationally.

Now, Hari is ramping up his contribution to his community by becoming an Our Future Health Champion.  He most recently interviewed our Community Engagement Manager, Aman Ali and our Director of Science and Biostatistics, Ben Cairns on air to help spread the word about our programme.

“Being a Community Champion feels like a fantastic opportunity to be at the forefront of a revolutionary healthcare transformation,” says Hari. “I want to help bring the transformation to my community, so we’re represented in the data. It means we can benefit from future groundbreaking health research.  

“I hope each person I’m able to motivate to join creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond my immediate community. I believe in a future where healthcare is more personalised, preventative and accessible – for everyone.”

Becoming a Community Champion

Susanna Odedina is a Community Engagement Officer at Our Future Health, and has been working closely with our first Champions. 

“I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has joined and shown interest in our Community Champions programme so far,” says Susanna. 

“We’ve had a full group of volunteers sign up for our pilot phase, which is fantastic. We’re not taking new applications at the moment, but keep an eye out for updates soon – including a potential second Community Champions recruitment announcement.”