Overview 

We were commissioned to recruit 10 pairs of Parkinson’s patients and their carers for paired interviews trialling a new “care companion” support app. 

The goal was to understand how patients and carers communicate day-to-day and explore how digital tools could improve connection, coordination, and care. 

The Challenge 

This wasn’t your average recruitment brief. 

We needed to find pairs who: 

• Lived separately but communicated multiple times a day via WhatsApp 

• Varied in age and medication types 

• Included individuals living alone with advanced Parkinson’s 

• Were based across different regions of the UK 

Reaching this audience required sensitivity, trust, and creativity, especially when approaching those in later stages of Parkinson’s or outside of established research networks.  

Our Approach 

We combined the reach of our in-house online community of over 275,000 participants with targeted outreach through Parkinson’s charities, local support groups, and community organisations. 

Tailored social media campaigns also helped us to connect with patients and carers where they already engage, from Facebook groups to local community pages. 

At every stage, we prioritised sensitivity, transparency and accessibility to ensure participants felt comfortable and supported. 

The Outcome 

Despite the complex brief, we successfully recruited all 10 pairs to specification. Each participant was eager to contribute to a project that could help improve daily life for people living with Parkinson’s and their carers. 

Beyond the numbers, this project reinforced what fieldwork is really about: connection, empathy, and persistence. 

When you take the time to reach the right people and create a safe space for sharing their experiences, that’s when the most meaningful insights naturally emerge.