Alnwick branch
When: First Wednesday of each month (except May)
Time: 7.00 pm- Location: Anchor House, Church Lane, Anwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NP
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.
Versus Arthritis offers a range of support and information to all adults affected by arthritis across England. This includes:
Our local Service Coordinators offer support to people with arthritis and work with volunteer groups in the areas they cover. Do get in touch to find out what is available local to you by searching In Your Area, emailing services@versusarthritis.org or telephoning 0300 790 0433 during business hours.
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.
Do you live in one of the area’s listed below and have osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee?
Do you want to get information on managing symptoms such as pain or want to talk to someone about your osteoarthritis?
Are you preparing for or considering joint replacement surgery?
Versus Arthritis believe there is always something you can do to reduce the impact of osteoarthritis, whether you have been recently diagnosed, or have been living with it for some time.
In some areas of the country we provide face to face, virtual and over the phone services for people with osteoarthritis of the knee/hip, which are commissioned by the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG). Please note you need to be registered with a GP surgery in the following areas:
To access our services in Northumberland or East Riding of Yorkshire regions – click here to refer yourself online. Or speak to your health care professional for a referral or call our services number on 0300 790 0433.
To check which area your GP surgery comes under please check out this website: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Clinical-Commissioning-Group/LocationSearch/1
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.
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.
Take a look at our leaflet on the virtual event we do and how to contact us (PDF, 359 KB).
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.
We have an easy way to see all the young people and family events on our downloadable calendar. This will give you an 'at a glance' view of what's happening in your area: Young people and families calendar of events (PDF, 174 KB).
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.
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.
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.
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.
When: First Wednesday of each month (except May)
Time: 7.00 pm
When: First Thursday of each month
Time: 1.15 pm
When do we meet
Monday 10.30am (online Zoom)
Tuesday 10.30am (online Zoom)
Wednesday 10.30am -11.30am in person at Clayton village hall
When: First Monday of the month
Time: 1.30 - 3.30 pm
When: Weekly on Tuesdays.
Time: 2.00pm - 3.00pm (with an extended chat to 4.00pm every third Tuesday of the month)
When: First Saturday pf the month
Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm
When: Every Monday
Time: 2.30pm - 3.30pm
When: 3rd Monday every month
Time: 10.30 am - 12.30 pm
When: Second Monday of the month
Time: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
We also have a weekly virtual chair exercise group and a weekly hydrotherapy group during term time.
For more information about this group, please contact the Services Team at services@versusarthritis.org
When: Weekly on Thursdays
Time: 10.30 am - 11.00 am
When: Weekly on Tuesdays
Time: 3.30pm - 4.30pm
When: First Thursday of each month
Time: 10.00 am - 12.00 pm
When: Third Wednesday each month
Time: 2.00 pm
When: First Monday of the month
Time: 12.30pm - 2.00pm
When: Fourth Saturday of each month
Time: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
When: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm
When: First Wednesday of each month
Time: 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm
When: The second Thursday of the month
Time: 2.00 pm - 4.00pm
When: First Saturday of each month
Time: 2.00 pm
When: First Wednesday of the month
Time: 11.00 am - 1.00 pm
When: Third Wednesday of the month
Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm
When: Third Monday of every month
Timing: 6.30pm-8.30pm
When: First Friday of the month
Time: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
When: Every fourth Thursday of the month, with the exception of December when we have a Christmas Lunch followed by a Pantomime.
Time: 12.30 pm - 3.00 pm
When: Every Tuesday except the first Tuesday of the month
Time: 12.00 pm - 1.00 pm
When: 4th Thursday of the month
Time: 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm
When: Tuesday 26 October 2021
Time: 11.00 am - 4.00 pm
The event will be accessible online too.
When: Last Monday of each month
Time: 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm
When: Second Wednesday of the month
Time: 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
When: Second Monday of each month
For more information about this group, please contact the Services Team at services@versusarthritis.org
When: Bi-monthly - first Wednesday of the month
Time: 11.00 am – 1.00 pm
Wednesday 4 January
Wednesday 1 March
Wednesday 3 May
Wednesday 5 July
Wednesday 6 September
Wednesday 1 November
When: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
When: Every Monday
When: First Tuesday of the month
Time: 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm
When: Last Tuesday of each month
Time: 1.30 pm - 2.30 pm
Group currently not meeting face to face. Please email services@versusarthritis.org for further updates.
When: First Monday of each month (second Monday for bank holidays)
Time: 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm (refreshments are at 1:30 pm and speakers are 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm unless stated)
9th January
How to make life easier with arthritis – your thoughts (group discussion)
6th February
Holistic massage – Eniko Hrubos
6th March
Occupational therapy – Emma Walker
3rd April
Tackling loneliness – Luke Thomas from The British Red Cross
15th May
Tai Chi – Shirley Sherwood
5th June
Improving information sharing and use in MSK physiotherapy outpatients, a PhD research project – Cheryl Grindell, Physio
3rd July
Adult first aid – Luke Thomas from The British Red Cross
7th August
Social lunch – lunch at a local restaurant
4th September
Criteria for hip and knee replacements – Prof. Mark Wilkinson
2nd October
Optician: Bottom line of eye tests – Karl Hallam, owner & optometrist of Eyeye
6th November
Rheumatology physiotherapist – Zoe Cox
4th December
Christmas social – group get together
When: Fourth Wednesday of each month
Time: 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm
When:
Tuesdays - 12.00pm to 1.00pm
Thursdays - 9.00am to 10.00am and 10.15am to 11.15am
During school holidays one session only at 9.00am
When: First Tuesday of the month
Time: 9.45am - 12.00pm
When: Third Wednesday of each month (no meetings in August and in December the meeting is on the second Wednesday)
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm
When: First Monday of each month
Time: 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm
When: Second Monday of each month (excluding January and August)
Time: 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
When: First Thursday of every month
Time: 10.00 am - 12.00 pm
When: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 11.00am - 12.30pm
When: Last Monday of each month
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm
When: Last Wednesday of each month
Time: 5:30 pm - 7.00 pm