Steve is part of a birth cohort study, but he cannot remember being invited to the study as a child. His memories of participation are quite vague due to his turbulent experience in foster care. When he was contacted as an adult, he was excited to learn that he was part of the study and he has since filled in a couple of questionnaire surveys. He remembers one of the questionnaires asked about his childhood and where he lived. He has received newsletters and been invited to attend a meeting with other participants of the birth cohort study, but he was unable to attend as it was too far away from his home. He is keen to continue taking part in the cohort study if it can help others in any way.

Steve believes his difficult childhood led to social anxiety and insecurities he experienced as an adult. He is particularly interested to find out how the social aspects of childhood affected other participant’s lives. He recognises that there are “loads of guys like me out there” and he is happy that his experiences can be used to improve the health and support systems for future generations.

Steve’s message for people who have been invited to take part in medical research is “I’d say do it because it can only help people in the long run, in the future”. He wished he had had more support when he was a child and hopes that, by taking part in research, people can learn from his experiences and improve social care systems for children in the future.

He has not taken part in any other medical research studies, but he would do if he was asked to; however, he would be less keen to donate blood as it is not his “favourite thing”.

Steve feels that it would be beneficial for cohort study administrators to send participants yearly progress updates on their findings so that participants could feel more included in the research study. He thinks that email updates would be appropriate.

Interview conducted in 2019.