Picking up the phone and calling a helpline isn't always easy and there are a number of worries or concerns you may have about contacting us. Below is a list of some of the most common questions people have about calling our helpline.

Can anyone call Arthritis Ireland?

Who will I be speaking to if I contact Arthritis Ireland?

Can I email the Arthritis Ireland helpline instead?

How much does it cost to call the Arthritis Ireland helpline?

Can I call at anytime?

What kind of things can I contact Arthritis Ireland’s helpline about?

What if my arthritis isn’t that bad? I don’t want to waste someone’s time.

If I call, will I ever get an engaged tone?

Should I not just talk to my friends and family?

I am under 18. Is there someone on the helpline who can answer my questions?

Are you confidential?

What if I have a complaint?

Can anyone call Arthritis Ireland?

Yes, anyone can call the Arthritis Ireland helpline - from people who have just been diagnosed with arthritis; family members who want to know how to support a loved one; people who have had arthritis for some time and are looking for help; and health professionals seeking information. If you think you might benefit from our confidential support then we are here for you. You do not have to have severe arthritis to contact us. We also realise that picking up the phone and talking to a stranger about issues that affect you isn’t always easy so you can also contact us by email (helpline@arthritisireland.ie) or write us a letter.

Who will I be speaking to if I contact Arthritis Ireland?

You will reach an Arthritis Ireland volunteer who has arthritis themselves and therefore understands firsthand what it is like to have arthritis. Our helpline team has undergone extensive training and is constantly briefed on any arthritis-related developments and breaking news stories so if you want to ask about them you can be sure they will be able to help. Our volunteers will answer your questions but also give you all the time you need to talk about what’s happening with your arthritis or in your life in general. They won’t judge you or tell you what to do and you don’t even have to tell us your name or any personal details at all if you don’t want to.

Can I email the Arthritis Ireland helpline instead?

Sometimes it can be difficult to pick up the phone and talk to a stranger about your arthritis so the Helpline email (helpline@arthritisireland.ie) is also available if you would prefer to explain your situation by writing it down. The length of time you will have to wait for a reply will vary depending on the number of emails waiting for a response. All responses are written by trained volunteers at one of our branches.

How much does it cost to call the Arthritis Ireland helpline?

Our helpline is a LoCall number and, as such, calls from your home phone or fixed line are charged to you at the rate of a local call. Call rates to LoCall (1850/1890) numbers from mobile phones may vary so you should check the exact cost with your mobile service provider. Unfortunately, as a charity, we are unable to provide our service as a freephone number.

Can I call at anytime?

Our helpline is open from Monday to Friday, from 10am-4pm. If you want to contact us outside of those hours then it is best to send an email (helpline@arthritisireland.ie) and somebody will reply to you as soon as possible. Often our helpline can be very busy during operating hours and occasionally you may not get through. If this happens then please call back at another time that is suitable for you. Due to legal restrictions we are not permitted to return any helpline calls so messages left by helpline callers will not be returned.

What kind of things can I contact Arthritis Ireland’s helpline about?

The helpline is available to anyone who wants to call, no matter what the subject matter is. People of all backgrounds and ages contact us looking for support and information People call us to discuss a wide range of subjects and sometimes just to have somebody to talk to. Everybody is welcome. All calls are confidential but some common things people contact us about are:

• How to manage pain.
• Information about specific conditions.
• Options about medication and treatments.
• What exercise or diet might be appropriate.
• How to manage on an emotional level.

What if my arthritis isn’t that bad? I don’t want to waste someone’s time.

The helpline is open to everybody, whether you have severe arthritis, just a touch of the condition or even if you don’t have arthritis at all so there is never any reason to believe that your problem is too small to seek help. Our helpline volunteers have arthritis themselves and therefore understand that arthritis affects people in different ways and to different extents and they are trained to deal with all cases, serious or otherwise.

If I call, will I ever get an engaged tone?

Often our helpline can be very busy during operating hours and occasionally you may not get through. If this happens then please call back at another time that is suitable for you. Due to legal restrictions we are not permitted to return any helpline calls so messages left by helpline callers will not be returned. Our helpline is open from Monday to Friday, from 10am-4pm. If you want to contact us outside of those hours then it is best to send an email (helpline@arthritisireland.ie) and somebody will reply to you as soon is possible.

Should I not just talk to my friends and family?

Feeling comfortable speaking about your arthritis with friends and family is fantastic and everyone should make an effort to do this. However, some people do not have the support of friends or family, others do have friends or family to talk to, while more simply find that talking to someone neutral can be beneficial. As supportive as friends and family can be, most will not know what it is like to live with arthritis and may not fully understand everything about the condition. Our volunteers are all living with arthritis and therefore do fully appreciate the impact arthritis can have on your life. They are also trained and have access to a huge array of information that should be sufficient to answer questions on even the most complicated of subjects. The helpline is also fully confidential so anything you tell us will not be passed on to anyone else.

I am under 18. Is there someone on the helpline who can answer my questions?

Yes. Our helpline volunteers are trained to deal with people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Confidentiality of calls is always respected regardless of the age of the caller. The volunteer’s primary responsibility is to you and your parents or guardians will not be contacted.

All our volunteers are adults, however, so if you want to speak to someone your own age who has arthritis then you should visit our Fizz Friends Facebook page. The Young Arthritis Network is also available for people between the ages of 18-35. You can contact them on 086 178 1064 or visit their Facebook page.

Are you confidential?

We can guarantee that anything you tell us or any information you provide us with will not be passed on. Read our confidentiality statement, Respecting Your Privacy, here.

What if I have a complaint?

We train our volunteers to provide support and information of the highest possible standard. If you feel you have received anything lower then that we would encourage you to contact us on our mainline on (01) 661 8188. All complaints will be investigated fully and sympathetically.