History

1947

1 February: Arthur Mainwaring-Bowen presides over the first meeting to set up an organisation for people with arthritis and rheumatism. By the third meeting in October it has 554 prospective members.

1948

First two-page issue of British Rheumatic Association Journal published. Meeting held with the Empire Rheumatism Council (now Arthritis Research UK) to set up co-ordinating machinery between the two organisations. The formal inauguration of the Association takes place at the first AGM at Mansion House on 17 June. Membership is set at 10 shillings a year. In November the first 500 Ball — a grand fundraising dinner dance — is held at Claridges. First BRA branch set up in Cardiff.

1949

BRA’s administration brought under one roof at 5 Tite Street in Chelsea. The first secretary is Mrs Neville-Rolfe. In August, the first issue of the BRA Review edited by Dr A Garland published. BRA’s first public exhibition and a two-day conference held at Chelsea Town Hall and in the adjoining Chenil Galleries. In November, BRA becomes a registered charity.

1950

The new charity’s first radio appeal for funds on the Week’s Good Cause raises £1,135. BRA Homes Ltd formed to look for suitable accommodation for hostels and homes.

1952

Bracken Hill House opens in Northwood, London, to provide accommodation for people attending nearby Mount Vernon Hospital.

1961

BRA’s first hotel, the Duncombe House at Birchington on Sea opens. It later becomes the Margaret Pinder House.

1966

Carlisle House, a residential home for people with arthritis, opened by the Hon Angus Ogilvy for the local BRA committee. It is later handed over to the national association.

1968

BRA marks its coming of age with a 21st anniversary piano recital. The celebratory cake is cut by founder Waring Bowen. Orton Rigg Hotel opens in Poole, Dorset.

1969

Lovat Lodge Hotel opens in Nairn, Nairnshire. The charity organises its first overseas holiday when 23 members fly to the Netherlands.

1972

Charity commemorates its silver jubilee with a service at St James Church in London. The autumn conference reports a record attendance of 149 delegates and 2,000 members attend parties in London. There are many regional parties too.

1973

Six warden-attended flats for people with arthritis open in Bath.

1974

100th branch opens at Paisley.

1975

A new nationwide group for young people with arthritis under 40 is launched. It is named the 130 Group.

1976

The Lupus Group is created.

The 130 Group hold their first annual general meeting at Baden Powell House in London

1977

BRA marks its 30th anniversary during World Rheumatism Year.

1978

The Lady Hoare Trust, originally founded in 1962, becomes officially associated with BRA.

1979

After completing his period of office as chairman, Walter Woodford agrees to continue at BRA as a part- time chief executive.

The C&A National Schools Choir Competition hosted by Melvyn Bragg is held in aid of the BRA.

The New Mayfair Hotel opens in Blackpool.

1980

BRA’s founder Waring Bowen dies on 31 January at the age of 57.

Arthritis News, a newspaper, replaces the BRA Review. It runs to 12 pages and has an initial print-run of 35,000. Shortly afterwards the charity changes its name to Arthritis Care.

1981

The International Year of Disabled People begins with the appointment of Terry Wogan to chair Arthritis Care’s Appeals Committee.

Paul Smith replaces Walter Woodford as the charity’s chief executive.

The first Dista Award scheme, which seeks to recognize the achievements of young people with arthritis, is held. Awards are given in six regions with two runners up in each region.

1985

The first ever Arthritis Care Week is held in September. To celebrate, Terry Wogan hosts a reception to launch a new film that describes the done by work Arthritis Care.

1987

Arthritis Care marks its 40th anniversary with a new president, The Duke of Westminster, who is already president of the Chester branch. Jean Gaffin becomes chief executive. 

An extended and refurnished New Mayfair is reopened. The Blackpool hotel was combined with neighbouring Jubilee to accommodate up to 82 guests.

Carlisle House is reopened with a brand new extension. The Duke of Westminster marks this special occasion by unveiling a plaque at the house.

Collins, in association with Arthritis Care, publishes a new book called Living with Arthritis. The book details the experiences of 27 people living with arthritis.

1988

The first ever convention of European Lupus Societies is held at the Dury Lane Moat House Hotel. The meeting is hosted by the UK Lupus Group and has 30 delegates from eight other European countries in attendance.

1989

The survey The Painful Challenge takes place.

Arthritis Care purchases the Burnlea Hotel at Largs in Ayrshire, and an appeal for funds is launched.

The new Arthritis Care Helpline, sponsored by Wyeth Laboratories, is launched to give support and information to people with arthritis and their families. The helpline is staffed by a fully qualified occupational therapist and other experienced members of the Arthritis Care Welfare Department team.

Arthritis Care’s first ever charity shop is opened by the Largs Branch.

1990

The winter Arthritis News has a print-run over 100,000 for the fist time.

 Arthritis Care adopts its adapted three figures logo and launches the Know Arthritis campaign.
The 35 Group (previously the 130 Group) is re-launched with a new name, Young Arthritis Care, and a new determination to meet the needs of young people with arthritis. Past names for the group have been the 130 Group, Libra, Under 35 Group and 35 Group.

The Lupus Group leaves Arthritis Care and forms a new charity in conjunction with the British SLE Aid Group. Members of the Lupus Group are able to stay in Arthritis Care, join the new charity or become members of both.

1991

Arthritis Care opens its 500th branch in Milford on Sea - ‘Arthritis Care is not just on the map but literally all over it,’ says chairman Chris Brockbank.

Arthritis News publishes its 50th issue.

Arthritis Care is a founding member of the Long–term Medical Conditions Alliance (LMCA), which brings together charities working with people with chronic medical conditions.

1992

Richard Gutch succeeds Jean Gaffin as chief executive.

Young Arthritis Care hosts the second International Youth Congress for Young Europeans with arthritis.

Arthritis Care moves from its premises in Grosvenor Crescent to a new office in Stephenson Way, near Euston station.

Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra officially opens the Burnlea Hotel in Largs Scotland, after its refurbishment.

The Road Towards Independence, Arthritis Care’s first published report, is released. It details the experiences of young people with arthritis.

1993

Arthritis News becomes a magazine.

The report Meeting the Needs of All People With Arthritis is published.

A new regional staff management structure is adopted by the organisation.

Countdown to Community Care: The implications for people with arthritis, a new Arthritis Care publication, is released. This leads, for the first time ever, to an Early Day Motion being put down in the House of Commons in the name of Arthritis Care.

Two new self-catering units are opened in Carlisle and South Wales.

1994

Thanks to a major grant from the Henry Smith’s Charity, Arthritis Care is able to launch a three-year programme of self-management courses. The Self-Help Initiatives Project (SHIP) comprises of The Action with Older People Project (AWOP), the Arthritis Self- Management Programme (ASMP), Personal Development Courses (PDC) and Self-Management ARThritis in Northamptonshire (SMART- Northants). These courses aim to give people control of their arthritis.

Patterson Lodge in Exmouth, Devon, becomes a sheltered home.

A new communications division is established at head office. The division brings together work on press and public relations, publications and distributions and exhibitions.

1995

First branches targeted specifically at Asian and African-Caribbean communities open.

New local structure divides the UK into seven regions each headed by a regional manager.

The New Mayfair Hotel in Blackpool reopens after £1 million appeal.

Arthritis Care is awarded over £1 million in the first round of the National Lottery Charities Board (NLCB) Grants – more than any other UK Charity. One in three of Arthritis Care’s applications are successful.

However, Arthritis Care’s legacy income begins to fall away and expenditure exceeds income. The charity is forced to close its grants service.

1996

Arthritis Care votes to change its constitution. From 1997, it will be overseen by a board of 18 trustees. Constitution says ‘it is desirable that a majority of the Board’s member’s should have personal experience of arthritis themselves.’

Arthritis Self-Management Programme and Young Arthritis Care’s Into Work personal development programmes begin to develop.

Along with six other charities, Arthritis Care is featured on GMTV’s Get Up and Give Appeal.

Lottery success for Arthritis Care continues. In November, Arthritis Care receives funding of nearly £1 million from the National Lottery Millennium Commission to set up a Millennium Volunteers award scheme. This is supplemented with funds from the Lloyds TSB Foundation. In December, Arthritis Care receives 62 grants, totaling £940, 655 over three years, from the NLCB in their Health, Disability and Care grant round. Despite this success legacy income continues to fall and Arthritis Care’s trustees give agreement in principle to staffing cuts and the ending of Arthritis Care’s direct involvement in the provision of nursing and residential care.

JOINTZ, Arthritis Care’s parent support group in Northern Ireland, runs the first conference for parents who have a child with arthritis.

1997

Arthritis Care’s 50th birthday and a UK first. CHAT (Children Have Arthritis Too) is the first UK conference ever for children with arthritis. It is a joint project between Arthritis Care, the Children's Chronic Arthritis Association and the Lady Hoare Trust.

In June, the Duke of Westminster presents awards to volunteers for outstanding services to people with arthritis and launches the Going for Gold Appeal. This aims to raise £5 million over three years for 10 initiatives improving the quality of life for people with arthritis.
 
As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Young Arthritis Care Contacts in the North West hold a fashion show at the Savoy Hotel in Blackpool. Organiser, Julia Ann Kerner, says ‘the show challenges accepted stereotypes and shows that all women can have a lively interest in fashion.’

A consultative document on the future of Arthritis Care, Arthritis Care into the Millennium, is launched at the 50th Anniversary AGM.

Arthritis Care and the British League against Rheumatism (BLAR) produce a guide for the planners of services for people with arthritis- Getting it Right: a guide for planners

1998

Arthritis Care’s boards of trustees decide to close and sell Warren Bowen house.

The Arthritis Care Millennium Awards Scheme gets underway. The programme aims to train 300 people with arthritis in seven different volunteer roles.

The Into Work Personal Development Programme is completed in June and the Work Horizon Projects is launched to provide support to people with arthritis seeking work.

Following widespread consultation and extensive discussion Arthritis Care’s Board of Trustees decide on a new strategic plan and mission for the charity – ‘empowering people to take control of their arthritis, their lives and their organisation.’

1999

The National Committee of Young Arthritis Care suggests that all departments of Arthritis Care should consider the needs of young people with arthritis.

Arthritis Care’s video short competition is launched with the showing of 90-second film – Mrs Robinson. The aim of the contest is to raise awareness of arthritis and challenge stereotypes often associated with the condition.

The Arthritis Care website - www.arthritiscare.org.uk - goes live

2000

The Bone and Joint Decade is launched, with the aim of improving the quality of life for people with musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. To promote the decade Arthritis Care becomes involved in the production of a European Manifesto for People with arthritis, which is launched in June.

The Arthritis Care Roadshow is a fantastic success. Richard Gutch, chief executive says: ‘It is the most exciting project Arthritis Care has undertaken and will bring enormous benefits to the charity.’ Over eight months, the roadshow visits 43 sites across the UK, receives over 43,000 visitors and accommodates over 1000 volunteers.

Arthritis Care’s public policy and campaigning department receives a £500,000 NLCB Grant. This funding allows Arthritis Care to hire a policy and campaigns officer for each of the four nations and provide training for 35 public policy volunteers.

New and expensive drugs for people with arthritis - biologic response modifiers and Cox -2 inhibitors - are licensed. In response, Arthritis Care launches an access to treatment campaign to push issues surrounding arthritis up the political agenda.

Arthritis Care’s Family and Youth Work Service in Northern Ireland runs its first Body Image course for younger people living with arthritis.

2001

Richard Gutch leaves Arthritis Care to become the England director for the National Lottery Charities Board. He is replaced by William Butler.

To ensure that people with arthritis can access a course that meets their specific needs, Arthritis Care launches a range of eight self-management and personal development courses.

The Source, the Arthritis Care Young Person’s helpline, is launched.

2002

The Good News in Arthritis information packs are launched. Adverts publicising the packs are featured in a wide variety of magazines and newspapers throughout the UK.

Arthritis News publishes its 100th issue.

Arthritis Care’s work is recognised by the Leonard Cheshire Enable Awards. Arthritis News is presented with the media award for representing and reporting on disability in a positive manner, and Arthritis Care in South West England’s community site wins for best website.

Arthritis Care and the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) host a reception at the House of Commons. This is followed by the tabling of an Early Day Motion, calling on the government to make arthritis a health priority.

2003

The Arthritis Care booklet, Our Feelings Our Emotions, is highly commended by the British Medical Association (BMA) in its patient information category. 

2004

Arthritis Care launches OA Nation, a report highlighting the effects of Osteoarthritis on millions of people in the UK. The study, which reveals that five out of four people with OA live in constant pain, brings the issues of living with arthritis in to the public spotlight.

The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) launches a new initiative, Alliance Against Arthritis, to raise the profile of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Ten Minute Management of Osteoarthritis, a toolkit for GPs and people with osteoarthritis, is launched. It aims to help both doctors and patients maximize the patient consultation time.
In September the Cox 2 inhibitor Vioxx is withdrawn amid claims it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke after 18 months of treatment.

The Hon Sir Angus Ogilvy steps down as the patron of Arthritis Care due to ill health. The Duke of Westminster – the current president – steps up to take over the role of patron. Jane Asher agrees to become the new president of Arthritis.

2005

Arthritis News celebrates its 25th anniversary.

It is announced that the drug co-proxamol will be phased out of the market over the next two years.

Arthritis Care welcomes Neil Betteridge as its new chief executive.

Arthritis Care starts several pilot programmes in England along the following themes: Young People, Active Retirement and Working Years.

2006

The newly redesigned Arthritis Care website is made live in April. It features a discussion forum that allows users to share their experiences of living with arthritis.

The Arthritis Care helpline is awarded the Telephone Helpline Association (THA) accreditation.

The Musculoskeletal Services Framework (MSSF) is launched in England by the Department of Health. Arthritis Care and the Department of Health produce a joint booklet for people living with arthritis to explain the new guidance.

The Welsh Assembly Government publishes its Arthritis Action Plan for consultation.

Arthritis Care in Northern Ireland celebrated its lobbying success when an extra £6m was put into the health budget in Northern Ireland specifically to fund anti-TNF treatment.

Arthritis Care’s Family and Youth Group Service in Northern Ireland is awarded a Good Practice certificate by the Royal Society of Medicine and the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance.

Arthritis Care makes the difficult decision to withdraw from running its hotels service.

Arthritis Care booklet Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis is highly commended and Coping with Emotions is commended in the British Medical Association (BMA) Patient Information Awards.

Arthritis Care Scotland achieves the Investing in Volunteers Standard.

2007

Arthritis Care reaches its 60th year. 

Arthritis Care wins 2007 BMA Patient Information Award for best website

2008

Arthritis Care implements 2007-2012 Strategic Plan