WHAT IS YOUNG ARTHRITIS
CARE?Reg. Charity No. 206563Many people think arthritis is a disease of old age. Lots of children and
young people know that it is not, because they suffer from it. In this country,
arthritis and rheumatism affects 15,000 children, and 1 in every 20 people aged
16-44. Young Arthritis Care is a self-help network run by, and for, all young
people with arthritis (anybody up to 45 years of age). Through Young Arthritis
Care it is possible to: - get to know other people in similar situations, and share experiences and
problems with people who really understand
- get information and advice
- raise public awareness of the problems faced by young people with
arthritis
Young Arthritis Care
General Young Arthritis Care is the section within Arthritis Care for young people
with arthritis, their families and friends. A national committee elected from
the membership sets the priorities for Young Arthritis Care. The foundation of Young Arthritis Care is the contact network. Contacts are
young people with arthritis who work from home on a voluntary basis. They offer
guidance and support to young people with arthritis in their areas. Refer to
the central office for details of local contacts. Young Arthritis Care also organises area groups, giving young people with
arthritis the opportunity to meet others and share experiences. Groups
undertake a wide variety of activities. Parent contacts are parents of children with arthritis. They offer advice
and support and some organise get-togethers and events. Young Arthritis News is free to members, three times a year. It
contains news and information relevant to young people with arthritis, as well
as updates on area groups and contacts' activities. It is edited by a young
person with arthritis. Specific help Courses in personal development training are run each year in various
locations around the UK, by professional trainers who have arthritis. Full
support in terms of personal assistance is offered. The personal development programme consists of weekend residential courses
for adults with arthritis. Participants learn to understand where lack of
self-esteem arises from, by focusing on barriers to independence within
society. Positive approaches are looked at, showing how barriers can be
removed. Assertive behaviour, confidence building, and independent living are
explored. The programme offers the opportunity to re-examine one's life in
depth, to define the desired changes, and how to bring about these changes. The
programme will also help to set achievable goals in order to reach maximum
potential in life. A combination of group discussion, videos, and the knowledge
and experience of the trainers provides a participatory, enjoyable, and
possibly life-changing experience. Positive future workshops are weekend residential workshops for children and
teenagers with arthritis (aged 11 to 18). The aim of these weekends is to share
experiences with other young people with arthritis, thus building confidence.
Workshops and fun activities provide the opportunity to meet together in a
structured and supported environment, focusing on problems faced in school and
social life, and how to deal with these situations assertively. Membership Membership of Young Arthritis Care includes membership of Arthritis Care.
This means that Arthritis News is received four times a year and members
can take advantage of other benefits (e.g. the holiday centres, branch
meetings, information etc.). The publications provided by Arthritis Care
include a range for young people written by Young Arthritis Care. Arthritis Care Arthritis Care is a national voluntary organisation which acts with, and
for, all people with arthritis. It: - provides information and advice, both by post and phone, and produces a
range of helpful publications; a quarterly magazine, Arthritis News, is
free to members and gives news about Arthritis Care activities as well as
up-to-date practical information
- has over 600 local branches throughout the UK
- campaigns for greater public awareness of the needs of people with
arthritis
- runs specially equipped holiday centres
- organises a range of self-help courses
Further information Arthritis Care
18 Stephenson Way
London
NW1 2HD
 020-7916 1500 | 
