How Your Money Helps
Your help WILL make a difference and ensure that we can continue to support people who live with Rheumatoid Arthritis and help them to lead as full a life as possible.
- £20 pays for a complex helpline call/email, research and tailored follow up
- £50 funds the production of an information toolkit for a volunteer
- £120 funds a resource pack for health professionals to provide patient support
- £500 funds the setting up of an NRAS group in the UK
- £880 pays for an average month's mailing of requested information leaflets
- £2,000 pays to run an information day
'When things are bad friends often ask me what they can do to help, my answer is simple... support NRAS so that they will always be there to help me when I need them.' Alice, 35, who was diagnosed with RA in her late teens.
How your money helped people in 2010...
The Helpline
We received a total of 2,460 calls to the Helpline and 484 emails. We now have four members of the Helpline team here to answer your calls and provide information about support. The Helpline is a vital part of the work we do and for many who feel isolated and lonely can be a lifeline at a time of great anxiety.
The Volunteer Network
13 new NRAS Groups were formed in 2010, making a total of 38 by the end of the year. NRAS groups offer support, information, encourage self management and a chance to meet socially with others who have the disease. They are also an excellent way of raising awareness of RA and getting local rheumatology departments involved.
Membership
At the end of 2010 we had 3,335 Members, an increase of 356 for the year, who all receive 3 magazines a year and have access to the online forum. Members can also be involved in research, surveys and focus groups - many members were involved in the design and testing of our new website, which went live in December 2009.
Website
Our new website went live in December 2009 and since then we have had an increased number of visitors each month. We now have around 25,000 visitors each month seeking information and support on our website. Our new Members' forum and blog have been a great success and we will continue to make improvements to the site.
Publications
In 2010 we produced 5 new publications, including the 'DAS DVD', 'RAise it with your doctor' and the 'Biologics Booklet'. In the year to December, we sent out 51,654 pieces of information to individuals and health professionals, averaging 4,304 each month.
However small or large your gift WILL make a difference and help us to help those who live with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Thank you.