ONS study invite? Anyone else doing this?

[Mum2threejs]

I received a letter addressed ‘the resident of’ it’s from the ons and university of oxford asking if I want to be a part of there study. I’ve read threads about these on mumsnet before and always thought it would be quite interesting quick and easy. But this says to ring them to register on to the study, wait for a phone call to book home appointment within the next 7 days. You’ll then be assigned a case worker then they visit once a week for up to 30 mins per person who participates after the first 5 weeks this then does reduce to once a month. From other threads other home surveys in to Coronavirus is a questionnaire and a home test kit (like I said quick n easy) working and with 1 child in school and 2 inseperate fe colleges getting appointments to be appropriately timed for us seems impossible so I won’t be ‘ringing to register’. Would be interested to hear from anyone who is though. Is it as time consuming as it sounds?

Yes they all came on one email with a code for each voucher. All ours have turned up to date but the tester told me to email this address if any didn't arrive

[email protected]

We've been doing it since March. It's only the first appointment which is time consuming. It's great for us as we need the money a d it's obviously helping with research. If you can't all be in the house for the appointment then you can just take part with available family members. It's well organised and they turn up when they sat they will in our experience.

Well I decided not to go for it in the end and I’m quite glad I did. My mum did agree to it she says that she hasn’t gotten any of her vouchers though my step dad does get his. But it doesn’t seem to be well organised she got a phone call today from her case handler who asked if he could pop round to do this weeks swabs when she said that they’d only done the last ones on Tuesday he said that didn’t matter......

Thanks @Stringervest I'll ping over an email and see what they say!

Myself and OH decided to do it. Have had initial swabs and two subsequent visits. Both had £50 each and my OH recurved his next voucher but not me. Will give it some time. Says it can be up to 20days.

We are in our third week, and received (and spent) the vouchers from Week One a few days ago. So far it has been completely straightforward. The tester rings on Thursday evening to arrange a visit on Friday.

I was surprised to get a letter this morning confirming that the test from 2nd October was negative.

Ok so can anyone explain if this is correct, we have also taken part in the test & have completed 3 visits so far, there is 4 of us so we received £200 of vouchers the first time & its £25 per person after 1st time, but I’ve just received another lot of £50 vouchers each, have they possibly put visit 2&3 vouchers added together & gave us £50 for the both added together? Not really sure how it works I just thought we would have received different lots of £25 vouchers, thanks

A colleague is part of the initial ons project. They have a person visit once a week, take the swab and find out all close contacts for that week. Chat about how things are going etc.

Gemz we received two lots of £50 each aand then £25 each after that. Not sure why, its more than i was expecting

Friends (retired couple) have been doing this.
It began well (and it is easy for them as the husband is cev and doesn't leave the house). The vouchers were a pleasant surprise to them ( expected something like a £10 token at the end).
BUT have not been tested for over a fortnight now and when they rang up they were told they were still on the list but the local testers at least had 'bitten off more than they could chew'.

I thought maybe the last 2 visits we had (last Monday & then Sunday) they had maybe just added 2x£25 & gave us it as a £50? Not going to ask them because if it’s a mistake I’m keeping it lol

Wow I cannot believe the amount they’re dishing out for people to take part in a survey. The magic money tree must’ve come into season!

@Gemz1993

I thought maybe the last 2 visits we had (last Monday & then Sunday) they had maybe just added 2x£25 & gave us it as a £50? Not going to ask them because if it’s a mistake I’m keeping it lol

Could well be added together, initially they took my email address wrong (@yarhoo.co.uk ??? Ok I have an accent, but even so) and when it got sorted I got the first 2 together as a single amount.

Incidentally we had a visit on Sunday just gone and I got the voucher email today, which is the quickest it has even been. Usually they are 8-9 or more days after.

Our last visit was 3 weeks ago and we are still waiting for the vouchers.

@Scarby9 after the first 4 times it drops to monthly visits, could that be it?

We've been doing this. Had 2 visits so far. After the first we got the vouchers 3 days later. Had the 2nd visit on Tuesday so assume voucher will be here soon (went into my junk folder so check there if you haven't had it).

@SausagePourHomme
I'll suggest that to them thanks.
Although they weren't expecting the vouchers, I think they had decided they would be handy as Christmas presents for various people!