Update from the Volunteer Network

Isn’t it always the same, you think that January is a slow, quiet month when you’re going to be able to catch up on lots of things that you didn’t quite finish off in December but guess what....we’ve hit the ground running, or should I say sliding!

Yes the crunchy, slippy white stuff that has been falling has had an impact on the volunteer network right across the UK with many NRAS Group meetings in January being cancelled as we really don’t want our volunteers or attendees risking a fall or worse. It’s fantastic that most of our groups now have dates set for the entire year so to find out what’s happening with your local group visit www.nras.org.uk/groups

Now with 25 NRAS groups across the UK to choose from it is, I hope, getting easier to find some local support too. I have already got lots of meetings lined up to discuss establishing groups in other areas e.g. Orpington, Kent, Newport, Isle of Wight, Weston Super Mare, Somerset, Nottingham, Manchester...so bear with us if we are not close to you yet we may well be soon. For more information on NRAS groups contact clare@nras.org.uk

The volunteer network team, Paul, Joan and I, are also getting involved in two other NRAS major projects this year. Paul is beavering away working on the next pilot courses of the RA Self Management programme due to commence 9th February in Woking then in Stoke on Trent in March and West Middlesex in April. If you would like to attend the 6 week programme or find out more don’t hesitate to contact Paul on paul@nras.org.uk

The other project that I am heavily involved in is the NRAS Work Wise Workshops - with the first one scheduled in London on the evening of February 24th. I am particularly excited about these events as it will give us the opportunity to reach people of working age with RA that perhaps have up to now, not been aware of the support and help available to them having been too busy dealing with the everyday hassle of juggling work life, family life and life with RA! Anyone is welcome to register for the workshops and all information can be found at www.nras.org.uk/workwise

Hope to see many of you over the coming year, be it at events or group meetings.

Clare Jacklin
Volunteer Network Manager