Ahead of World Arthritis Day on 12th October, free online Groups are taking place to help people living with arthritis around the Yorkshire area on Thursday 7th October 2021 at 2:00pm. The online Groups, organised by UK charity Arthritis Action, are to help people manage their condition. Further groups will take place every six weeks.
There are over 10 million people living with some form of arthritis in the UK, making it the leading cause of pain and disability nationwide. Arthritis comes in many different forms and can affect people of all ages, not just older people – 30% of 35-44 year olds, and 19% of 20-34 year olds, live with a musculoskeletal condition.
The online Groups are held over the video conference app Zoom, allowing people to join from the comfort of their own home. The calls offer a safe and friendly environment for people living with arthritis to speak with each other, learn from one another and share their stories, questions and tips.
Leigh Walmsley, a Paralympian and member of Arthritis Action, has attended a previous Online Group and found it helps to improve her quality of life:
“Meeting online certainly adds a new aspect to having a group meeting. It’s nice to be able to see people during the lockdown and make sure they’re doing well! The possibilities are now endless on how this platform can be used. Once you get setup, it’s easy to use. We could do exercises, cooking, and mindfulness online together! I’m very happy Arthritis Action found a way to keep their group meetings going during the current situation – it was lovely to connect with the group again and I certainly feel less lonely than I would without them.”
Arthritis Action speakers will also provide information on local resources for people living in and around Yorkshire, as well as information on how to better manage the symptoms of arthritis through healthy eating, therapies, mindfulness, exercise and pain management.
The Groups are free to attend and are open to people living with all forms of arthritis. Arthritis Action already runs Groups in other areas across the country, including London, Coventry, Derby, Birmingham and Nottingham.
For more information or to register attendance for the Yorkshire Online Group, email info@arthritisaction.org.uk or telephone 020 3781 7120.
