'Real Lives in Research' photographic exhibition

A photographic exhibition which opened on International Clinical Trials Day 2022 is shining a light on the people from across the South West who have chosen to take part in health and social care research.

The exhibition, which opened at Yeovil Library on Friday 20 May at 1pm, is the culmination of a project by Janine Valentine, Nurse Research Leader at Yeovil Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) 70@70 Senior Nurse Research Leader programme.

Supported by funding via a successful Innovation Bid from the NIHR Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula (CRN SWP), the project aims to showcase the wide range of ways people can participate in research, and the many different motivations and experiences of those taking part.

Doing her best to hear from as diverse a range of people as possible, Janine carried out a series of recorded interviews with people who have volunteered for research, and each time professional photographer Len Copland captured portraits of the volunteers. The result is a powerful series of images and stories Janine hopes will inspire others to get involved.

The full story can be found on the NIHR Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula website.