Week Ending 7th August

Brynmor

No Week Endinglast week as we picked one of the worst times for local bad weather to have some time off. However, now that the rain and wind has all eased, we seem to have double the population of garden butterflies compared to last year.

1.专题报道——新系列

In a new series, we are highlighting a Featured Story from our web site to highlight the very personal effects arthritis has on people. We start with Indra, who’s in her 40s, lives with multiple conditions includingpsoriatic arthritisandfibromyalgia. Here she tells us about the huge impact arthritis has had on her life and why she thinks raising more awareness of all conditions is so important.

• Being diagnosed with arthritis is life changing

2. Why Are We Waiting?

With appointments, treatments and joint replacement surgery delayed, thousands of people have been left waiting in pain with no clear idea of when things will return to normal.

It has been a subject with our members who are reporting difficulties in getting appointments and the support they need to help them.

Join ourImpossible to Ignore campaigncalling on all UK governments to make sure the needs of people with arthritis are addressed as they plan to restart NHS services.

3. London Travel

当we went to London back in January, it was the first time I had visited the capital in many years. As someone who lives in a small town on the north Wales coast, the city to me was quite extraordinary - having a countdown to pedestrian lights changing isn't something I had seen before... and as for the traffic!

Using the Underground was as I remembered it, but finding the way around its maze of entrances, links and stations without having planned beforehand was a challenge. We could have done with the new app from Transport for London, calledTfL Go(Apple iOS only, Android version coming soon!)

The key highlight is that it has astep-free modefor planning accessible journeys - in the future it will also have information on toilet availability, platform access and live lift status.

Here's more fromKatie Pennick, disability travel campaignerposting on Twitter(includes a video of using the app)

4. Exercise and arthritis - A Facebook Live Event

Versus Arthritis hosted aLive Facebook EventonWednesday 29th July.We were joined byDr Benjamin Ellis, Consultant Rheumatologist and Clinical Policy Advisor at Versus Arthritis, andLili John生活与关节炎和最近拍摄的part in our 10,000 Steps Every Day in June challenge.

• If you missed the live event, you can now see (even without a Facebook account) a video recording of theQ&A session on Exercise and Arthritis.

Mentioned in the sessionand posted in the comments was a link to theNHS Apps Library. Well worth a look.

5. Face-To-Face Services from Versus Arthritis

While we aren't running ourFace-To-Face Servicesat the moment, some of our groups are still meeting regularly.Find out what’s going on where you are and how Versus Arthritis offers help and support across the UK.

6. Versus Arthritis Chatbot AVA

It’s hard to find the right information and advice at the right time when you need help. You canchat to the arthritis virtual assistantand get fast, easy access to our trusted information, 24/7.

AVAhas now beenfeatured in an article about Artificial Intelligence(AI) and what it means for humanity. A very interesting read outlining a few of the possibilities that AI can provide and where Versus Arthritis is at the leading edge of these developments.

As always, don't forget to keep up to date with thelatest advice on the Coronaviruswith the latest updates on shielding advice and links to your country within the UK.

Stay safe, stay well.

Brynmor