Arthritis Care

Arthritis Care (Charity number 206563) was a United Kingdom-based charity dedicated to supporting people affected by arthritis. It was one of the leading arthritis organizations in the UK, providing practical help, advice, and support to improve the quality of life for individuals living with various forms of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

History

Arthritis Care was established to offer support and information tailored to the needs of people living with arthritis. Over the years, it developed services including pain management techniques, mental health resources, exercise advice, and employment support.

In 2017, Arthritis Care merged with Arthritis Research UK to combine clinical research and patient support into one organisation, aiming to achieve greater impact for people with arthritis. Following this merger, in September 2018, the newly formed entity was rebranded as Versus Arthritis, which is now the largest arthritis charity in the United Kingdom[3][5].

Activities and Services

Before the merger, Arthritis Care focused on an integrated self-management approach addressing both the physical and mental health challenges posed by arthritis. Its services included:

• Educational resources on healthy eating and pain management
• Online peer support groups
• One-to-one nutritional consultations
• Access to clinical appointments with osteopaths, physiotherapists, and acupuncturists
• Employment support and goal-setting programmes to empower people with arthritis to take control of their condition[2]

Arthritis Care also conducted outreach through roadshows and created an online community where thousands of people shared experiences and support related to living with arthritis[3].

Legacy and Impact

Arthritis Care played a pivotal role in raising awareness about arthritis and improving the lives of those affected by it across the UK. Its merger with Arthritis Research UK allowed for more comprehensive support combining research, advocacy, and patient care under the name Versus Arthritis. This unified charity continues to offer extensive support, information, and research funding to help the estimated 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis remain active and manage their conditions effectively[3][5].

Note: The charity formerly known as Arthritis Care now operates as part of Versus Arthritis, continuing its mission within this larger organisation.

[1] https://versusarthritis.org [2] https://www.arthritisaction.org.uk [3] https://versusarthritis.org/about-us/our-organisation/history/ [4] https://nras.org.uk [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versus_Arthritis