In this section
- How to take part in the study
- Why you should take part in the study
- How you have been selected for the study
- Who can take part in the study
- What happens if you decide to take part
- Payment for taking part
- Taking part in the study if you have been vaccinated
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms in your household at the time of the study
- Postponing the study because of coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
- Withdrawing from the study
1. How to take part in the study
To take part, you will need to register with IQVIA; this is the company collecting data on behalf of the ONS and the University of Oxford.
To register, call IQVIA on the number included in your letter. You will also need to provide your reference number; you will find this in the top right-hand corner of your letter. Your reference number starts with three letters, for example "COV". The telephone adviser will then be able to book you in for an appointment for a nurse or study health worker to visit your home to complete the study.
Taking part will not affect the medical care you receive, and there is no effect on any regular medication or other prescribed or over-the-counter medicines you might be taking.
Back to table of contents2. Why you should take part in the study
This study will allow scientists to understand who has been infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19), even if they have not realised it at the time. This is particularly important as more people are vaccinated against COVID-19 and we start to monitor how well the vaccines work in the real world. The information we get from people like you taking part in the survey will help scientists and the government work out how to deal with COVID-19.
Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without providing a reason. Everyone in the household can make a different choice - it is not necessary for everyone to do the same.. Parents or carers may also withdraw their child from the study at any time without giving a reason.
This is your chance to be involved in a unique study that will help scientists work out how many people have already been infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19). If you are still not convinced, you do not have to take part if you do not want to.
Back to table of contents3. How you have been selected for the study
You may have been contacted because you:
are currently taking part in the Labour Force Survey; it is also really important to us that you continue to take part in that study
have recently taken part in one of our online studies
have been randomly selected from a database of addresses
have taken part in a survey conducted by NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency)
At the moment, people from over 240,000 homes from across the UK are taking part in the survey.
Back to table of contents4. Who can take part in the study
Anyone in the household aged two years or older can take part in this study. The only exception is adults who are not able to consent for themselves.
It is also fine to take part if you are involved in other research studies.
Back to table of contents5. What happens if you decide to take part
If you or anyone currently resident in your household would like to take part in the study, then we will arrange for a survey team member to visit your home.
By "currently resident", we mean a person who typically stays overnight in the household address at least four nights out of seven.
A "household" is defined as either:
one person living alone; or
a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address who share cooking facilities and share a living room or sitting room or dining area
Please call IQVIA, the company collecting the data, to book an appointment convenient for you. The reason for sending someone from the survey team to your home is so that you do not have to travel to take part in the survey. Everyone working for the study has received appropriate training.
Back to table of contents6. Payment for taking part
As a thank you for taking part, everyone, including children, taking part in the study will receive a voucher.
You will be issued a voucher every time you participate in the study.
The amount received for each completed visit is the same for everyone taking part. The amount does not vary if you are invited to give swab samples only or both swab and blood samples.
Everyone who completes the enrolment visit will be offered one £50 voucher, and one £25 voucher for each further visit. From 1 April 2022, the voucher each person receives for each visit will permanently reduce from £25 to £20.
Please note we will never ask for your bank details, the vouchers will only ever be issued by email or in some cases by post.
Receiving your voucher
An email will be sent within 20 working days of each completed appointment with instructions on how to redeem your voucher.
Over the next few weeks, we will be making some changes to the way we issue your voucher codes. The email format will look slightly different, and we will also be sending your voucher link from a new email address: noresponse@vouchers.sodexoengage.com. Please always check your junk or spam folder by searching for emails from this address.
So, what is the benefit of the change? Our new voucher link will mean with one click, you are immediately able to choose your retailer voucher rather than entering a cheque number and validation code on a website. The process for you will be smoother and quicker, improving your redemption journey and delivering a better quality service.
The incentives you receive for taking part do not necessarily follow each visit. So you may receive incentives that contain differing amounts. These amounts will reflect the number of times you have participated. This may also vary for each member of your household - you may not all receive incentives at the same time.
If you have not received your voucher within 20 working days, please email customersupport@sodexoengage.com.
Spending your voucher
The voucher codes will be valid for three months from the date you receive the email. Once redeemed, the voucher for the specific retailer of your choice will be valid for much longer.
Both online and in-store vouchers are currently available for the following retailers. Please note these are subject to change at short notice.
Retailer
adidas
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
All Bar One
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Argos
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
Retailer
Arsenal F.C.
Partnered with
No one
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ASDA
Partnered with
No one
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ASK Italian
Partnered with
No one
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In-store
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ASOS
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
B&Q
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
Retailer
Bella Italia
Partnered with
The Restaurant Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Blackwells
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
Retailer
Bloom & Wild
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Boohoo
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
BoohooMAN
Partnered with
Boohoo
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Browns
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Burton
Partnered with
Boohoo
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Butlins by Inspire
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Buyagift
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Café Rouge
Partnered with
The Restaurant Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Caffè Nero
Partnered with
No one
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Retailer
Chef & Brewer
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Cineworld
Partnered with
No one
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Online
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Clarks
Partnered with
No one
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Costa
Partnered with
No one
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Cote
Partnered with
No one
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Crown Carveries
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Currys
Partnered with
No one
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Decathlon
Partnered with
No one
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Deliveroo
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Dorothy Perkins
Partnered with
Boohoo
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Eating Inn
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
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In-store
Retailer
Ember Inns
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Ernest Jones
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
Retailer
Farmhouse Inns
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Fayre & Square
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
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In-store
Retailer
Flaming Grill
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Foot Locker
Partnered with
No one
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In-store
Retailer
Global Experiences
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Good Night Inns
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Google Play
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Great British Pub Card
Partnered with
No one
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In-store
Retailer
Greene King
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
H&M
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
Retailer
H. Samuel
Partnered with
Ernest Jones
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Habitat
Partnered with
Argos
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Halfords
Partnered with
No one
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In-store
Retailer
Harvester
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
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In-store
Retailer
Harvey Nichols
Partnered with
No one
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Retailer
Healthy Minds Club
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
HomeSense
Partnered with
TK Maxx
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Hotels.com
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Hungry Horse
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Hussle
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Iceland
Partnered with
No one
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Retailer
Innkeeper's Lodge
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Inspire Travel
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Inspire UK Staycation
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
iTunes
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Jet 2 Holidays by Inspire
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
John Lewis & Partners
Partnered with
Waitrose
Where to spend
Online and in-store
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Just Eat
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Laithwaite's
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
Retailer
Las Iguanas
Partnered with
The Restaurant Card
Where to spend
Instore
Retailer
Lavish Spa & Beauty
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
Retailer
Loch Fyne
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
London Theatre Direct
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
MANGO
Partnered with
No one
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Online
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Marks and Spencer Food Hall
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
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Marks and Spencer
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
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Miller and Carter
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Morrisons
Partnered with
No one
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Naked Wines
Partnered with
No one
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Online
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Nando's
Partnered with
No one
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NastyGal
Partnered with
Boohoo
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
National Book Tokens
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
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National Trust
Partnered with
No one
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New Look
Partnered with
No one
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Online and in-store
Retailer
Nicholsons
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Nike
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Not On The High Street
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Old English
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
O'Neill's
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Photobox
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Pizza Hut Restaurants
Partnered with
No one
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In-store
Retailer
Primark
Partnered with
No one
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In-store
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Red Letter Days
Partnered with
Buyagift
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
River Island
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Royal Caribbean by Inspire
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Sainsbury's
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Sizzling Pubs
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Sports Direct
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Stonehouse
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Swarovski
Partnered with
No one
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Online
Retailer
Ted Baker
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Tesco
Partnered with
No one
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In-store
Retailer
The Body Shop
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
The Charity Shop Gift Card
Partnered with
No one
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In-store
Retailer
The Dining Out Card
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
The Entertainer
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
The Restaurant Card
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
The White Company
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Ticketmaster
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
TK Maxx
Partnered with
Homesense
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Toby Carvery
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Totally Well
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
TUI by Inspire
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Uber
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Uber Eats
Partnered with
Uber
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Vintage Inns
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Virgin
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Virgin Experience
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Wacky Warehouse
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Wagamama
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Waitrose
Partnered with
John Lewis
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Zalando
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Zizzi
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Redeeming or using your voucher
Vouchers are being sent from a new email address: noresponse@vouchers.sodexoengage.com
If you have not received your voucher following your latest visit, please check the following email folders:
- junk
- spam
- deleted
- trash
- archive
You can also search your inbox using the sender's email address noresponse@vouchers.sodexoengage.com
You can search for the phrase 'You've been awarded a voucher.'
Please refer to the following household or individual how to guides, for a step by step guide on how to redeem your vouchers:
If you would like help redeeming or using the voucher you can also email the voucher supplier directly: customersupport@sodexoengage.com.
Donating your voucher to charity or the NHS
Unfortunately For Good Causes Charity have advised that they can no longer offer the option to purchase eVouchers to donate to charities, which means the eVoucher will no longer be available to purchase. This means there is no current option available to donate to charity. We are sorry for this and are working with our suppliers to identify a replacement option.
Requesting a physical alternative
You can choose to receive a physical gift card instead of an online voucher. Physical vouchers will be posted and fulfilled within 20 working days of your visit date.
If you still wish to receive a physical gift card, please get in touch by emailing Covid-19@ons.gov.uk.
Information on where you can spend a physical gift card is available.
If you still have questions
Please ensure you have read each paragraph in this section.
If your question was not answered, email us at Covid-19@ons.gov.uk. Be sure to include your details (phone number and COV number) so we can support you more efficiently.
Back to table of contents7. Taking part in the study if you have been vaccinated
Everyone in the study can receive a COVID-19 vaccination when they are eligible to do so - if your healthcare provider asks questions about the study, you can show them this letter (64.7 kB pdf) confirming this.
People who have received a COVID-19 vaccination can stay in the study - and it is extremely important that they do so, as long as they are willing. The study will help us monitor how well the vaccine works in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Back to table of contents10. Withdrawing from the study
Your participation is entirely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without explanation. This includes after you have arranged an appointment for a survey team member to visit your home and if you have already given a swab from your nose and throat and a blood sample.
If the tests have already been done when you change your mind, we will still use the data from them because they are very important for our study to get a good picture of who has had the coronavirus (COVID-19) across the UK. But if you no longer wish for any leftover blood to be stored, we will destroy it. You can also decide that you do not want us to get any more information about you from the NHS if you leave the study.
Back to table of contents