England

What we do

We offer a wide range of activities across England for adults and young people from Commissioned services to new walking groups to various types of gentle exercise, peer support for adults and young people and families, information sharing and social activities. All activities are fully risk assessed and approved by Versus Arthritis. Do check what’s in your local area using the Search for Services in Your Local Area search box. 

Versus Arthritis is here to make sure that people with arthritis have all the support and information they need to live well with their condition, as well as to ensure the needs of people with arthritis are a priority with policymakers in England.

Living Well with Arthritis (Services for adults)

Versus Arthritis offers a range of support and information to adults affected by arthritis across England. This includes:

Physical Activity

We support people living with arthritis or any other long-term medical condition to get active and stay active, in order to live well with your condition.

Evidence shows that physical activity is good for us, even when we have a long-term condition like arthritis. Regular physical activity has many benefits and helps us to remain well for longer and manage our pain more effectively.

Chi-Me courses

Chi Me is a gentle exercise technique that can be practiced in either standing or sitting positions. It’s Tai Chi influenced and is a simple and relaxing way to develop better flexibility and muscle strength for people of all ages and abilities. Sessions will be led by a trained instructor in small groups. Sessions will be a mixture of face to face or virtual.

Seated Yoga courses

Seated Yoga is a form of Yoga that is done in the seated position and may be most suitable for people who have difficulty standing.

If you would like to join one of our Chi-Me or Seated Yoga sessions, full details of our current opportunities and how to register can be found in our registration forms below.

South England
Berkshire face-to-face courses: Chi-Me Registration Form

North England
North East: Chi-Me and Seated Yoga Registration form

Bitesize Classes

Bitesize are information sessions that cover a range of issues faced by people living with arthritis including pain, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep. These are delivered in small groups where you’ll meet other people facing similar issues and will spend a couple of hours exploring ways to manage your symptoms.

If you would like to join one of our Bitesize sessions, full details of our current opportunities and how to register can be found in our registration forms below.

South England
South England: Bite size Registration form

Self-Management Course

We are currently rolling out face-to-face 5 week courses where you will explore different techniques and strategies for living with arthritis. Participants are encouraged to attend each session if possible in order to get the most benefit. If you would like to join one of our Self-Management courses, full details of our current opportunities and how to register can be found in our registration forms below.

South England
Not currently available

Midlands

More dates to be added during December 2023 and January 2024.

To be added to the waiting list please complete the form and we will be in touch as soon as dates are announced: https://forms.office.com/e/f9J3CAS254.

If you require more support with registration please email northenglanddelivery@versusarthritis.org or call 0300 790 0433.

Hereford

Self-management programme

27th October to 29th November 2023, 2pm - 4pm

Stretton Sugwas Village Hall, Hereford, HR47PT.

To attend please complete the form https://forms.office.com/e/f9J3CAS254. If you require more support with registration please email northenglanddelivery@versusarthritis.org or call 0300 790 0433

Workshop dates to follow.

To be added to the waiting list please complete the form and we will be in touch as soon as dates are announced. https://forms.office.com/e/f9J3CAS254. 

If you require more support with registration please email northenglanddelivery@versusarthritis.org or call 0300 790 0433.

North England

North Tyneside: Chi-Me Bite size and Self-Management Registration form.

Our forms will be updated regularly to reflect new sessions across England, so please be sure to check periodically for future opportunities within your area.

If you wish to find out more or require support with the registration process, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the England Delivery team. You can email services@versusarthritis.org or call 0300 790 0433.

North West England

Chester

Self-management dates to follow.

To be added to the waiting list please complete the form and we will be in touch as soon as dates are announced. https://forms.office.com/e/f9J3CAS254. 

If you require more support with registration please email northenglanddelivery@versusarthritis.org or call 0300 790 0433.

Liverpool

Workshop dates to follow.

To be added to the waiting list please complete the form and we will be in touch as soon as dates are announced. https://forms.office.com/e/f9J3CAS254. 

If you require more support with registration please email northenglanddelivery@versusarthritis.org or call 0300 790 0433.

Local branches and groups

Our branches and support groups offer friendship, fun, information, and a chance to meet other people who know what it is like to live with arthritis or other muscular skeletal conditions.

We have support offered by local volunteer-led branches and groups across England. Branches and groups usually meet monthly, some during daytime, some in the evenings. Activities vary based on local interests and can include guest speakers, physical activity and social activities. Search to find your local branch or group.

Young People and Families Service (YPFS)

Our Young People and Families service offers a range of services to support young people and their families. We encourage young people to get together for a variety of fun activity and discussion-based events across England.

YPFS - Our Activities

Young people tell us that sometimes friendships and activities have been affected by their health and coming along to one of our events gives them the opportunity to rebuild confidence in themselves and trust in others. All events are run with our volunteers who themselves have grown up with arthritis or similar conditions, so we know there is no such thing as being too young to have arthritis.

We know it is daunting to try something new, but our volunteers and the other young people remember their first time and know exactly how that feels and work hard to make sure everyone feels welcome and safe.

Local Events for young people

We run regular small social meet ups for young people aged 11-18 in London, Manchester and the West Midlands. These are a chance to meet others in your local area, listen to talks and try out different activities.

All our events are fully funded, insured, and run by qualified and experienced staff. All staff and volunteers have criminal records check. Find out more and keep an eye on what’s coming up in your area or contact us at ypf@versusarthritis.org.

Connecting with us online

Arthritis Tracker: A mobile app for teens and young adults

Created with young people for young people, Arthritis Tracker lets you rate your symptoms in seconds and see a simple summary of your recent pain, sore joints, medication side effects, energy levels, activity, sleep and emotions. You can use these summaries to help you talk to your healthcare professionals at medical appointments or simply to see how you have been doing recently. Download the app here.

YPFS - Social Media

We have social media pages available for both parents and teenagers, to allow you to connect with others locally who understand. These are a great place to stay updated and ask any questions you may have for people who have been through similar experiences. Connect with us on social media here.

Volunteers

To volunteer for an organisation is to give the invaluable gift of time and at Versus Arthritis our volunteers play a vital role in raising funds and raising awareness about the pain of arthritis. We couldn't operate without them. All of our services are delivered or supported by our amazing volunteers, and there are opportunities to get involved in campaigning, fundraising, take part in events or even organise your own. Volunteering is at the very heart of Versus Arthritis and it is thanks to the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment of volunteers, that we can support millions of people living with arthritis every year.

We have several volunteering opportunities available across England and provide all the necessary training and support that will help you feel part of our organisation and equipped to perform your role. As a volunteer, we will support you to learn new skills, meet new people and help you increase your confidence and self-esteem. Many of our volunteers live with arthritis and related conditions, which means together we can deliver a quality service, and help you to enhance your self-management skills.

Please get in touch to find out more by emailing volunteering@versusarthritis.org.

Campaigns

We need your help to make arthritis a government and health service priority. Sign up to our Campaigns Network today and join thousands of others campaigning for change. We’ll email you with campaign updates and how you can get involved. Find out more about the issues we’re campaigning on. Do get in touch to find out how you can support our national campaigns by emailing campaigns@versusarthritis.org.