Become a RaP volunteer

Researcher carrying out an experiment in the lab. Asthma UK represents people with asthma in the UK by funding research and campaigning on UK-wide public policy issues, such as the recent smoking ban.

Examples of this include:

  • asking people with asthma to help us assess research funding applications
  • assessing research funding applications from the point of view of a person with asthma
  • campaigning for the abolition of prescription charges for people with asthma in England
  • setting priorities for research into the diagnosis, treatment and management of asthma
  • asking people about their experiences of asthma and healthcare services
  • helping to get people involved in asthma research studies.

How you can get involved

We believe it is vital that people with asthma, and parents and carers of people with asthma, are given the opportunity to influence our research and policy work.

To help us achieve this we are currently recruiting Research and Policy (RaP) Volunteers.

RaP volunteers will play an important role in ensuring that we speak on behalf of people with asthma and that our work meets their needs. If you are interested in supporting our work to improve the lives of the 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK, you can sign up here.

As a RaP volunteer you can be involved in any of the five exciting volunteering opportunities:

  • help shape the future of Asthma UK’s research into the cause, diagnosis, treatment and management of asthma
  • share your experience of living with asthma to influence researchers and politicians as well as taking part in research studies and policy work yourself
  • take part in focus groups to discuss topics relevant and important to you
  • speak up about what matters to you in questionnaires, web-polls and interviews
  • influence central, regional and local government and other key decision-makers about asthma.

How much involvement you have is entirely up to you. Activities will take place throughout the year, and you can take part in as few or as many as you like.

Find out more
To register as a RaP Volunteer or find out more, sign up here. Alternatively contact Asthma UK’s Supporter and Information Team (08456 03 81 43, info@asthma.org.uk).

See also