Get involved Versus Arthritis 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 The Patient Voice In Northern Ireland, our volunteerled Patient Voice role was developed to share the lived experience of people with arthritis, to better educate healthcare professionals. The service supports healthcare professionals to understand, and empathise with, what it is like to live with arthritis and/or persistent pain, and, ultimately, improve the service they provide to patients. Partners have so far included Queens University, Ulster University, and health and social care trusts, and the service has been involved in GP specialism training and quality improvement projects to provide patient perspective in co-producing potential solutions for patients. Volunteers come from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds, representing themselves as experts on the impact of their own condition and resulting experiences. SERVICES SUCCESS IN ENGLAND Our online self-referral service for our commissioned services in Northumberland and East Riding of Yorkshire supports patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, discussing ways to manage symptoms and healthcare options. For details, see versusarthritis.org/ commissionedservices. Together Versus Arthritis in Birmingham created three groups, while our staff helped branches with peersupport meetings, physical activity, and more. To find your local branch, visit versusarthritis.org/in-your-area or call 0300 790 0433. MAKING OUR VOICE HEARD IN 2021 Despite being a difficult year, 2021 was also a year of success for our Impossible to Ignore campaign. Our supporters took tens of thousands of campaigning actions last year, including writing to their elected representatives. As a result, weve engaged with more than 200 Westminster MPs, including Edward Argar, Minister of State for Health, and at least 65 representatives in the devolved governments, including Robin Swann, Northern Irelands Minister of Health. From tackling waiting times for joint-replacement surgery to ensuring priority access to COVID-19 vaccines, weve made a real difference for people with arthritis. You can find out more about our campaigning and influencing at versusarthritis.org/ourcampaignsuccesses Health services are again under strain, and we are monitoring the impact this might have on planned joint replacements. We will be asking governments and health bodies across the UK to ensure surgeries continue, wherever it is safely possible, and that people waiting for surgery are properly supported. With your help, we will continue to ensure arthritis is Impossible to Ignore. YOUNG CREATIVE MINDS The Young People and Families Service in Scotlands Joint Creativity project ended 2021 with its This is Me art exhibition. With feelings of isolation and loss of identity heightened by the pandemic, young people aged 10 to 25 explored all aspects of their lives, and how their conditions are part of them but do not define them. Visit the virtual exhibition here: tinyurl.com/ thisismeexhibition Introducing our new research strategy This year, we are excited to put our new research strategy into action. Research can and has changed lives. We want research to make arthritis preventable, manageable and treatable. It needs to be making a bigger difference to peoples lives, quicker. We want to accelerate the pace and precision of musculoskeletal research. By that we mean: Gaining a better understanding of arthritis its causes and why certain people are more affected More groundbreaking discoveries and breakthroughs in the laboratory, clinic and community turning into better treatments and interventions quicker, so that people feel the benefits in their day-to-day life, sooner The experiences of people with arthritis informing research, so its focused on the areas where it can have the biggest impact. Our research strategy prioritises four areas in which we want to achieve change with, and for, people with arthritis: 1. Early detection and prevention: Spotting the signs early and reducing the impact of arthritis 2. Targeted treatment: More effective drug and non-drug treatments 3. Living well: More people living well with their condition, feeling supported in their day-to-day lives 4. People and partnerships: Researchers, funders and investors are making a better life for people with arthritis their priority. To find out more, read our research strategy at versusarthritis.org/ researchstrategyenglish Read our research strategy in Welsh at: versusarthritis.org/ researchstrategywelsh RETURN OF CHAIRBASED SESSIONS IN WREXHAM Weekly chair-based exercise sessions returned last July for people with arthritis in Wrexham. The sessions aim to improve muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance, and are having a positive impact on people. Participants comments included: I was so pleased about the return [of classes], as I live on my own and felt very isolated. I had gone downhill during lockdown and lost my motivation. Now I feel so much better. To volunteer for or join a session, contact walessupport@versusarthritis.org FANCY A CHALLENGE? Do you, or someone you know, want to take on a running challenge in 2022? We have places in the Great North Run and the London Marathon. Join our amazing team of runners today and youll get: An official event medal Versus Arthritis running vest Tons of training and fundraising advice Exclusive community of support on Facebook An enormous sense of achievement! Youll be helping to fund research that can improve the lives of people with arthritis. Katie has ankylosing spondylitis, yet ran the 2021 London Marathon. She said: I couldnt walk properly until I went on biologic medication, and it transformed my life. Id never run before and thought, I can, so why wont I? I need to give back to Versus Arthritis. See versusarthritis.org/events. If running isnt for you, check out our website for other ways to get involved versusarthritis.org/get-involved.