Do it! Get involved! Arthritis Care works with and for people who have any type of arthritis. We are here to help you manage your condition better, and stay active, independent and connected Shake up some support To mark World Arthritis Day in October, we are asking our fantastic supporters to get involved and hold a collection at their local supermarket, train station or shopping centre. Collections are a fun and easy way to raise funds and awareness. Sparing just a few hours of yourtime makes a big difference, and we can help make your collection asuccess. If collectionsarent for you, but you would still like to be involvedwith our World Arthritis Day celebrations, we have a range of alternative fundraising ideas. For more information, email localfundraising@ arthritisresearchuk.org or call 0300 790 0405. School daze Are you a young person, aged 15-25, with arthritis and thinking about going to university? Or do you know someone who is? Then come along to London Metropolitan University on Tuesday 23 October, between 10.30am and 3pm. There will be information on what you should be asking universities before and after you apply, and you can hear about the support they offer, including funding for students with long-term health conditions. The day is also aimed at young people who have had to, or have chosen to, delay university. Contact Jenny Cookson on 020 7380 6506 or Steph Vale on StephanieV@ arthritiscare.org.uk for more details. Get creative The Joint Creativity team invites you to a fantastic familyevent at Glasgows Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on 20 October. Aspecial exhibition of artworkby young people living with arthritis and related conditions will be on show, complete withart workshops and talks by practitioners. Researchers will also be there to answer your questions. The exhibition is open to the public from 19October to 20December 2018. For more information, contact Izabela MertowskaShand on 0141 251 0300 or email IzabelaM@arthritiscare. org.uk Well connected Arthritis Care NIs Staying Connected Service has been shown to reduce the pain associated with arthritis and help people manage their symptoms. The University of Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine conducted an evaluation of theservice, which aims to promoteself-management and reduce isolation among older people with arthritis. The specific objectives of the evaluation were to: n Assess the impact of the programme on an individuals pain intensity n Determine if there were any changes in an individuals ability to cope with their arthritis n Evaluate any improvements in physical functioning and participation in daily socialactivities as a result oftheprogramme The study found there were statistically significant reductions in pain intensity when the scores at the beginning of the programme were compared with those at the end. The participants ability to cope with their symptoms improved over the course of eightweeks. These are excellent results that highlight the effectiveness of Staying Connected in helping older people to manage their arthritis.