Which? is looking for people to take part in some research. We would like to talk to:

people who have been diagnosed with a long term, serious or life threatening illness;
the families and/or carers of people who have been diagnosed with a long term, serious or life threatening illness; and
people who have been bereaved in the past two years.

We want to understand the consumer issues and extra costs that people in this position may face (e.g. higher fuel bills and legal fees). We’d also like to know if people with a serious condition feel they have the support and the information they need to make the right choices  – for example when buying goods and services. We’re also interested in how well supported people feel when dealing with end of life issues like wills and probate.

We will be making the findings from this research freely available to the public to help develop a better understanding of peoples’ needs in this vulnerable time.

There are two areas where you might be able to help us:

1. DIARIES: We’re looking for people who have been diagnosed with a long term, serious or life threatening illness, or people caring for someone who is in this position, to keep a seven-day diary about their day to day life.

Participants will receive a £75 supermarket/high street voucher as a thank you.

2. INTERVIEWS: We would like to conduct 40 minute interviews with people who have been bereaved in past two years, and who helped to manage the affairs of the person who passed away (e.g. organising the funeral, dealing with banks, etc.)

Interviewees will receive a £50 supermarket/high street voucher as a thank you.
How to take part:

If you are interested in participating in this research, or know someone who would be interested, then please contact Phillida Cheetham  0207 770 7201  or email phillida.cheetham@which.co.uk. We will work with participants to ensure that the thank you payments do not interfere with any benefits.

Which? is a charity whose policy and campaigning work is funded by subscriptions to our consumer magazine and publications. Our mission is to make individuals as powerful as the organisations they have to deal with in their daily lives, by providing independent advice and active support.
http://www.which.co.uk/help/living-with-a-serious-illness