Challenging Arthritis

If you are looking for ways to cope with your arthritis, this course could be for you. You may have been recently diagnosed, you may have been living with the condition for some time, or someone close to you may have arthritis. If you feel in need of help (and you are over 18), choose Challenging Arthritis.

‘Since going on this course I feel better, I am walking better and my posture has greatly improved. This has lifted my spirits and helped me cope with day-to-day living’

Ok, how long does it go on?

The course consists of a two-and-a-half-hour session once a week for six weeks (in an accessible venue). That’s fifteen hours in total – not many when you think it could give you a new lease of life.

So what happens?

The weekly sessions are good fun. There are informative talks by the trainers (who have arthritis themselves and are intensively trained) and there are brainstorming and practical activities. There will be plenty to try, to experience and to practice at home.

What is covered over the six weeks?

• Pain management – we look at ways of coping with pain and practice a number of specific techniques
• Medication – we go through how to evaluate whether a treatment or alternative therapy is working for you, and where you would go for help and advice
• Exercise – we discuss the benefits of safe exercise and show you a few simple strengthening, flexibility and aerobic exercises
• Communication skills – we explore how you can communicate with your healthcare team, family and friends to explain your feelings and your needs, and how better communication can help improve relationships
• Emotions – we look at the difficult emotions that inevitably come with having arthritis and how to deal with them
• Action planning – throughout the course we help you to set your own action plans, small steps to help you work towards your own personal goals

And what will it cost me?

All our courses are free to attend. We obtain funding from various bodies which covers our running costs. This in fact serves as another guarantee of quality as we have to evaluate and feedback to our funders to show how each course went.

If it’s free, how do I know it’s any good?

One reason: evidence shows that Challenging Arthritis works. The feedback we get shows people are better informed and have made positive changes to their lives as a result of taking part in the course – take a look. Clinical research also shows the course improves people’s confidence in coping with their condition and helps curb anxiety – see for yourself.

It sounds great, how can I sign up?

Take a look at our course calendar and use the information there to complete our form. If there isn’t anything available near you, please still send us your form. This means we can keep track of demand and keep you up to date with announcements of any new courses.