University of Birmingham

ELSA Study

Early Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes study

The ELSA Study is the largest type 1 diabetes screening programme for children in the UK.

ELSA initially launched in the West Midlands as a regional feasibility study, it has since expanded into a nationwide programme. Results from the first phase show that screening is both feasible and acceptable, with tens of thousands of families taking part.

By identifying children at higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes before symptoms appear, the programme aims to reduce emergency diagnoses and give families more time to understand and manage the condition.

Morph solution

We have worked with the ELSA team over several years, supporting the programme as it expanded in scale and scope. As new phases were introduced and the target age range widened, communication materials were refined to ensure they remained clear, age-appropriate, and engaging for children and their families.

Patient Information Animations — a series of clear, easy-to-follow animations explaining what participation in each phase involved. Designed to be accessible to both parents and children, they helped families understand screening and reduced anxiety around taking part.
Extra Animations - we produced additional animations to communicate key information, including guidance on home testing
Participant Information Tool (PIT) — an interactive digital version of the patient information sheet, guiding families step by step through key details. Combining animation and structured written content, it supported informed decision-making across a large national participant base and was updated as the programme developed.
Study Website — developed as the central hub for ELSA, bringing together all key materials in one accessible space. As the study progressed, the site expanded to reflect new phases and age groups, maintaining a consistent and family-friendly experience throughout.

RECOVERY Trial video

Aenean lobortis arcu non sodales pellentesque. Ut pellentesque orci tellus, vitae cursus mi consectetur nec. Donec id mollis quam, in ullamcorper neque. Duis viverra, tortor eu hendrerit interdum, massa nisl feugiat enim, vitae iaculis nunc quam nec turpis. Cras facilisis ligula eu lacinia sodales. Maecenas iaculis faucibus dui, a accumsan eros dictum sed. Suspendisse sit amet eleifend erat.

Maecenas vitae ultricies libero. In mauris elit, euismod blandit convallis a, laoreet eget sem. Phasellus eget risus laoreet, blandit elit ut, ultrices magna. Duis eget porta sapien. Donec vulputate tincidunt urna, eget semper ante ornare at. Nam ultrices nibh at massa eleifend aliquet. Duis vehicula nunc eget magna tempus, non viverra nunc bibendum.

Maecenas vel ante in justo eleifend faucibus. Curabitur vel arcu posuere, ultricies arcu in, egestas dolor. Integer sed elit quis odio aliquet auctor fringilla at arcu. Aliquam leo tellus, efficitur sit amet augue vitae, ultricies elementum sapien. Ut sed dui lacinia, cursus enim id, pulvinar lectus. Phasellus ultricies nisl at felis efficitur, sed suscipit leo mollis. Nam fermentum ullamcorper tortor, ac tincidunt lorem euismod ac. Aliquam erat volutpat. Nunc porttitor nibh a iaculis lacinia. Nulla est neque, consectetur euismod lorem sed, tristique laoreet quam. Nunc ultrices lectus elit, at ultrices elit tempor non. Vestibulum id pulvinar nisl. Aenean nibh ipsum, scelerisque aliquet ex in, pulvinar faucibus metus. Pellentesque non iaculis ipsum.

The ELSA website has even been used as a case study by the Clinical Research Network as a good example of a study site!

An overwhelmingly positive aspect has been the website. All families have commented on how clear and easy to use it is. A few have commented on the quality of the infographics and videos shown to their children.

We wanted to thank you for supporting the success of the ELSA study!

Dr Lauren Quinn, University of Birmingham