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 Its Foyle and Lisburn Versus Arthritis! Support us at your event Are you celebrating a special occasion this year? A big birthday, anniversary or getting married, perhaps? If so, you could support Versus Arthritis as part of your celebration. Whether its organising a collection at your event or asking friends and family for donations in lieu of gifts, your help could aid others in the fight against arthritis. For more information and to request material, contact the community fundraising team at localfundraising@ versusarthritis.org or call 0300 790 0405 Get active in North Wales Arthritis Cares Get Active project has been hugely successful in Powys, Wales. If you are living with arthritis in Wrexham, Flintshire or Conwy and want to get active, then youre in luck. New Get Active activity and support groups have opened in all three locations, giving you the chance to meet new people and take part in fun activities. These include chair-based exercises, tai chi, walking and boccia. Theyre also an opportunity to hear from guest speakers and have a chat over a cup of tea with like-minded people. For further details, contact Christine Heathcote on 0800 756 3970 or Jenni Edwards on 01244 952683. You can also email getactive@ versusarthritis.org Great leadership to great healthcare In November 2018, 14 healthcare professionals started a leadership training programme to become Versus Arthritis Champions of Musculoskeletal (MSK) care. Their aim is to improve patient care for everyone living with arthritis, and projects so far have included improvements to data collection and the development of physical activity programmes. Building on the success of 2018, were recruiting more inspirational leaders from across the UK to become MSK Champions. Our aim is to improve the quality of life of people living with arthritis and related conditions. Do you know a healthcare professional who could be an MSK champion? For more information, visit versusarthritis.org/msk-champions or contact champions@ versusarthritis.org People with arthritis and related conditions have gained two new support groups in Northern Ireland. Foyle and Lisburn Versus Arthritis support groups offer a friendly space to take part in activities, and to talk to people who understand. Both groups arose from a six-week Living Well With Pain programme. Everyone had gained so much from each other that they continued to meet up, and have been encouraging people from their local area to join. For more info, contact John McCormick on 028 9078 2940 Get vlogging! The England Young People and Families team are offering a new vlogging workshop to those aged 16 to 25 in April 2019. Run by Media Trust, it will teach young people how to voice their opinions in a way that can get them noticed. Participants will also gain skills to create powerful vlogs using their smartphone, and learn how to share their content across YouTube in a safe and responsible way. Young people who live, work or study in London or Essex can also submit their best vlog into the 2019 Vlogstar Challenge competition, for the chance to visit YouTube for a day of tuition and mentoring in July 2019. To find out more, email ypf@versusarthritis.org