Arthritis Active Community
Encouraging safe movement for arthritis patients
With many residents diagnosed with arthritis, the Arthritis Active Community was set up to encourage and demonstrate safe movement with community support, behavioural change, and engagement.
Being active with a diagnosis of an MSK condition helps reduce pain and improve quality of life, and the Arthritis Active Community highlights the benefits of movement and reduces the fear of exercise when diagnosed with arthritis.
The Arthritis Active Community initiative received funding through the Find Your Active Small Grants programme, enabling it to provide essential support and activities for individuals with arthritis.
The location of sessions was key to its success, needing to be on a public transport route with sufficient parking and ease of access, which enabled participant attendance.
The project has developed further by providing participants with follow-up information and guidance on nutrition, breath work techniques to manage pain, and kits to be utilised and practiced with at home.
Key Outcomes
- Improved Mobility - Participants showed improved mobility, as evidenced by feedback
- Community Support - The project successfully built a supportive network for participants
- Behaviour Change - The project played a significant role in encouraging behavioural change towards being active
