Fun in store for all the family at health research festival in Oldham tomorrow

A festival for all the family tomorrow (Saturday) will give local people the chance to learn about and get involved in health and care research in Oldham.

Everyone is welcome at the free-to-attend NHS event, which will take place inside Oldham Library (Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL) tomorrow.

The drop-in event will be open between 11am and 2pm, with fun, games and exhibitions running throughout the day, as well as refreshments.

The event is suitable for all ages.

The festival is the second one to be organised by Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester, part of the Department of Health and Social Care organisation the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The occasion will show how getting involved in health and care research can help you learn more about a condition that affects you, and how your participation can make a difference to local communities and the NHS by helping to improve treatments and quality of life - now and for future generations.

People who attend will have access to free health checks and the opportunity to meet local community health and wellbeing support organisations.

They will be on hand to speak with people about free-to-access support services.

Throughout the event, there will be the opportunity to take part in a number of research studies looking at a range of conditions.

People can also sign-up to hear about other upcoming opportunities to be part of research which is taking place in Greater Manchester to help discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and manage illnesses.

During the event, the NIHR will be launching its first ever children's story book about research, with readings taking place inside the library.

The picture book, co-produced with Wigan-based best-selling author Alex Winstanley, takes the reader on a journey alongside a young person who, after being invited to participate in research, overcomes their fears and helps others do the same.

Susan Neeson, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester, said: “We are really looking forward to holding our second research festival, which is just one way we are striving to make participation in research studies more inclusive for all residents in our region.

"There will be fun for all the family and everyone is very welcome to come along, whether you live in Oldham or anywhere in Greater Manchester.

“We’re extremely grateful to all of the local health and wellbeing support organisations who are joining us to offer their knowledge and expertise on some of the conditions prevalent in our local communities.

"There should be something of interest for everyone.”

Further information is available on the festival Eventbrite page, although people do not have to register their attendance - everyone is welcome to drop-in on the day.

In the meantime, people can sign-up to hear about different types of research they can get involved with in Greater Manchester by visiting the NIHR websites Research for the Future or Be Part of Research.

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