NRAS JoinTogether Digital Groups The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for many RA and JIA patients and parents/carers of children with JIA to be able to find new ways to connect with others like themselves. Through these new digital groups you can connect with others with similar interests and lifestyle choices. All groups are run by NRAS Volunteers. What are the current JoinTogether Groups and how can I join? It can be hard to find someone who understands the issues you are facing. Connecting with It can be hard to find someone who understands the issues you are facing. Connecting with others living with RA and adult JIA or other parents/carers of children with JIA can be of great benefit and comfort. NRAS JoinTogether groups are a great way to interact with others who have busy day to day lives and are trying to manage the difficulties of their disease or their child’s disease. These new groups will enable you to regularly discuss your issues and learn to live better with your or your child’s disease. The JIA Parent/carer group meet online through Zoom usually on the first Monday of the month at 7pm. They also run some family events during the school holidays. For more information and our other current groups with their contact email addresses please see below: JIA Parents Group jiaparents@nras.org.uk led by Victoria, Natalie and Tams 18-35 Group 18to35@nras.org.uk led by Francesca and Chloe Parenting with Inflammatory Arthritis Group parentingwithia@nras.org.uk led by Hansa and Haffy Working with Inflammatory Arthritis Group workingwithia@nras.org.uk led by John and Paula Exercise & Back to Sport Group exercisebacktosport@nras.org.uk led by Katy and Ian Simply drop an email to the group you are interested in joining and they will send you a new contact form to complete so that they can invite you to future online meetings. How do I set up a new JoinTogether Group? Our JoinTogether groups are run by a volunteer network of people living with RA and JIA who would like to make a difference, whilst connecting with others with similar interests. If you have a passion and would like to set up a group, please contact our national Lead Volunteer, Katy Pieris at Jointogether@nras.org.uk. Katy Pieris – JoinTogether Digital Groups Volunteer Lead Katy is a mum, wife, exercise-fanatic and media sales professional and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis in 2011 at the age of 28. “Inflammatory arthritis can be frightening when first diagnosed. I struggled to understand how the disease was going to affect my life. At the time, being 28, living with my partner, navigating the world of work and at the time, struggling with simple tasks, it took me a long time to connect with others like me. From volunteering with NRAS for the last eight year’s I know how hard the disease can be, not just for you, but those who you are close to. I hope that these groups will enable people to connect and learn from others within the community.” NRAS in 2023 0 Helpline enquiries 0 Publications sent out 0 People reached
How do I set up a new JoinTogether Group? Our JoinTogether groups are run by a volunteer network of people living with RA and JIA who would like to make a difference, whilst connecting with others with similar interests. If you have a passion and would like to set up a group, please contact our national Lead Volunteer, Katy Pieris at Jointogether@nras.org.uk.
Katy Pieris – JoinTogether Digital Groups Volunteer Lead Katy is a mum, wife, exercise-fanatic and media sales professional and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis in 2011 at the age of 28. “Inflammatory arthritis can be frightening when first diagnosed. I struggled to understand how the disease was going to affect my life. At the time, being 28, living with my partner, navigating the world of work and at the time, struggling with simple tasks, it took me a long time to connect with others like me. From volunteering with NRAS for the last eight year’s I know how hard the disease can be, not just for you, but those who you are close to. I hope that these groups will enable people to connect and learn from others within the community.”