charity Get involved! Arthritis Care is the UKs largest charity working with and for all people who have arthritis. We are here to help those with arthritis better manage their condition and live life to the full. Read on to find out what people have been doing, and how you can get involved Inspired by my Mum Susie Gibbon with her parents after completing the London Marathon susie Gibbon had watched London marathon runners racing past over the years, and finally decided the time had come for her to take part in 2015. after seeing her mother struggling with arthritis over the years, susie decided that running for arthritis Care would motivate her to train and complete the race. my inspiration was my brilliant mum, who has had to endure many operations, she says. she never ceases to amaze me and never complains of the pain she is in. she added: The money i raised will help arthritis Care provide high quality information, knowledge and support to help empower those with arthritis to reduce the challenges they face. We are looking for runners to take part in the London marathon 2016. its never too early to sign up, so why not raise funds for this amazing cause? For more info, email here or 0207 7380 559. Gathered in Scotland Arthritis Care Scotland will be celebrating the dedicated support of their volunteers at their national Volunteer Gathering at the Apex Hotel in Dundee on the 3-4 October 2015. The event will recognise the vital work of Scottish volunteers in delivering services that are crucial to helping people learn to live well with arthritis. It will focus on valuing volunteers for the work they do and the skills they have, the positive impact of their roles on the lives of people living with arthritis, as well as the wider context of their work within Arthritis Care. Workshops will explore the potential and future development of their volunteering roles and also increase their understanding of the wider influencing and engagement context of volunteering for the charity. Demonstrating the benefits of self-management will feature throughout the event via methods including storytelling and taster sessions in activities such as tai chi for arthritis. There will also be fundraising activity, with a Sunday volunteer tea party, to raise funds for Time for Tea in October. Big thinking in Wales Wales will be holding its Volunteer and Branch conference on 2-3 october in Llandrindod Wells. This year we will be asking volunteers and branches about how the recent restructure has benefited them, and giving them an opportunity to feed in their thoughts and ideas.There will be a variety of presentations, workshops and the Friday evening quiz. as well as celebrating the success of Wales branches, groups and volunteers, our annual conference provides the opportunity to learn from each other and feed into the future direction of our services in Wales. Easily confused some of our readers may be aware of acommercial company called Arthritis We Care, based in Leeds. Thiscompanysells specialist furniture, often through telephone sales and home visits. It is a totally separate company from us, with no links to Arthritis Care. Please rest assured that we do not give FEATURE APP BOXOUT HEAD 4 JoIN us For our ANNuAl XXXXXXXXXX Arthritis Cares Agm is taking place on 12 september at the Jurys inn hotel in Birmingham. this is a chance for members to come along and find out more about how were supporting thousands of people living with arthritis across the uK. members can also have their say on or sell our members details to Arthritis We Care. If you have any concerns, contact Arthritis We Care directly on 01133 226525. GENErAl MEETING 2015 key issues for the charity, including the election of trustees, and will have a chance to put questions to the board of trustees and chief executive. You can either attend the Agm in person, or vote by proxy if you cant attend on the day. if you are a member, youll have received an Agm pack with this copy of inspire. this includes details of the resolutions, 2014 accounts and a proxy voting form. if you did not receive a pack or have any questions, please contact lucy tennison on 020 7380 6558 or email here.