Arthritis Ireland Peer to Peer Network

Respecting your Privacy

Volunteer with Arthritis Ireland

Let's Talk Arthritis Peer-to-Peer Support

Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone else who really understands what it is like to live with arthritis.

We have trained peer support volunteers all of whom have been diagnosed with arthritis. We can arrange for one of them to telephone you at a mutually convenient time about whatever aspect of your arthritis that concerns you most.

• You may be a young woman planning to start a family or a mum finding it difficult to cope with young children – perhaps chatting to another mother who has had to face similar challenges and choices would help you.
• What if you are someone concerned about balancing work with the fatigue caused by arthritis or communicating with work colleagues about your disease? Many of our volunteers are in full or part-time employment and can talk to you about their experiences in the workplace.
• Going onto a new medication may concern you. Would it help to talk to someone else who has been taking that medication for some time? Or perhaps you’ve been told you need an operation and have some questions that only someone who has experienced it can really answer.

To request a call from one of our peer support volunteers

Helpline: on 0818 252 846 (between 10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday) 

email: [email protected]

or email or Services Support Officer Peter Boyd at [email protected] 

• In the first instance you will be called by a member of the Helpline team to discuss your request so that we are able to make the best match for you. We may need some further details, and may be able to offer you some initial information or support in the meantime whilst waiting for your volunteer call.
• We will then get in contact with a peer support volunteer to discuss your request and find out if they are happy to make a call. We will try and arrange a mutually convenient time for them to call you, and let them know your first name and telephone number.
• We will then get back in touch with you to let you know the volunteer’s name and an idea of when to expect their call.
• It may take a little time to match and arrange a volunteer call, but someone from the Helpline team will keep you updated.

Please note

• Our volunteers can only talk about their personal experiences so if you have any specific medical queries it would be better to discuss these with your medical team.
• A landline phone number is preferable to a mobile if possible

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Respecting Your Privacy

Arthritis Ireland respects your privacy and believes that everything our callers tell us, including the fact that they have contacted us, is confidential. This means that anything discussed, or any information disclosed to our helpline volunteers cannot be communicated to anyone outside of the organisation.

Arthritis Ireland’s commitment to complete confidentiality means that we do not disclose information that has been divulged by a caller, even if the caller remains anonymous.

Confidentiality is an essential element of any helpline service as it encourages people to be completely open and honest with volunteers when they call. It is the act of speaking to someone with total confidence that the information will not be passed on that offers huge emotional release, reduced stress and helps people to think through their problems logically.

For more information on Arthritis Ireland’s commitment to confidentiality please read our Data Protection statement.

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We need your ears!

Are you a great listener with experience of living with arthritis? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Are you looking to contribute to something REALLY worthwhile?

As you know, emotional and practical support and information is essential for people with arthritis and their families, friends and carers. That's why we created the Arthritis Ireland National Helpline.

As a person living with arthritis, you have valuable life experience and understand the daily complexities of this serious condition. You don't need any formal qualifications or previous experience, just a natural ability to listen and empathise with our callers.

Helpline Training is ongoing, and volunteers are always welcome. For more information please contact our Helpline on 0818 252 846 or email [email protected]

Arthritis Ireland wishes to acknowledge the support of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and the Programme, the Scheme to Support National Organisations 2016-2019.

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Arthritis Ireland wishes to acknowledge the support of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and the Programme: Scheme to Support National Organisations 2016-2021.