Can you help Arthritis Care raise awareness of the impact of arthritis by talking about your experiences?

At Arthritis Care, it’s important that our work is informed by all people living with arthritis. The Arthritis Care People Bank is a collection of people who contribute to our work by talking about their experiences of living with arthritis.

Arthritis Care People Bank volunteers are interviewed for articles in Arthritis News, come along to a focus groups, comment on drafts of new publications and/or speak to the media. People Bank volunteers can get involved in whichever activity they like. 

Being involved

Most of the role can be done over the phone and by email, which makes the role ideal for many people with arthritis. You do not need any media or special experience to participate. You just need experience of living with arthritis.There is no minimum commitment to the People Bank either; you choose which projects you would like to be involved in.

How it works

• Interviews – A 15-20 minute phone conversation with one of our publications team at a time that suits you, on an aspect of living with arthritis.
• Focus groups – Attending a group meeting to meet other people with arthritis, share ideas and tell us the issues that affect your day-to-day life. We pay your travel costs and provide lunch.
• Feedback on publications – Before we produce a new publication we send out draft copies by post and ask people to comment on the content, layout and design.
• Media – The media approach us to find people with arthritis to speak with for newspapers, magazines as well as occasionally on radio and TV. We prepare and support all volunteers before any interviews.
• Events – At some events it is important for Arthritis Care to be represented by people with arthritis. We would compensate travel costs to and from the event.

 New - Parents can now register too

 Parents of children and young people with arthritis are now able to register to be part of the People Bank too. Previously, volunteering was only open to people with arthritis, but we recognise that there is a need for children and young people with arthritis to be represented as well. If you are a parent registering for the People Bank, please answer the questions in light of how your child's arthritis affects both your child's and your own life.

How to join

To join the People Bank, simply fill out the form on the next page, telling us about your interests and your experience of living with arthritis. The more information we have, the more effectively we can involve you in the most relevant ways. This also means that we include the views of the widest group of people.  

Return your completed questionnaire to: Lexy Barber, Arthritis Care, 18 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD or email it to PeopleBank@arthritiscare.org.uk

Your details will be held confidentially and not shared with anyone without your permission.