Juvenile Arthritis Research Champions Patient Voice at #BSR25 in Manchester

Manchester, UK – April 2025 – Juvenile Arthritis Research made a powerful impact at this year’s British Society for Rheumatology Annual Conference (#BSR25), showcasing the charity’s growing role in supporting families, clinicians, and researchers across the UK and beyond.

Volunteers Richard, Michelle, and Caelan – affectionately dubbed the JAR “dream team” – represented the charity throughout the three-day event, connecting with rheumatology teams and raising awareness about the wide range of resources and support JAR offers. Suruthi also joined the team for a day, marking the first in-person meeting for her after working together remotely.

Founded seven years ago to fill the gaps in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) support, research, and awareness, Juvenile Arthritis Research has grown into a vital patient-led charity making a global impact. Through meaningful patient partnership, research and advocacy, the charity works tirelessly towards their vision of a world where no child has to suffer from arthritis.

At #BSR25, the team presented two major pieces of work: newly developed resources for Still’s disease and a study examining the association between ethnicity, deprivation, and changes in disease activity six months after initiating methotrexate in children and young people with JIA. Both presentations were well received and sparked conversation. Juvenile Arthritis Research's founder also presented about how the charity has grown to become a 'one-stop-shop' for JIA whether it is family support that is needed, research input and involvement or helping earlier diagnosis through awareness. 

“Our work is driven by real families, real experiences, and the urgent need to bring about real change,” said Richard. “We’re here to ensure the patient voice is not only heard, but centred in every aspect of rheumatology care, research and quality improvement.”

In addition to supporting families directly, Juvenile Arthritis Research plays a crucial role in working alongside hospital teams to:

• Provide accessible patient information and educational resources

• Share research findings and support quality improvement initiatives

• Enable meaningful Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)

• Facilitate dialogue between health professionals and families through ParentZoom meetings

• Serve on patient networks and steering groups to shape care pathways

• Collaborate through the JIA VIP Research Panel to inform studies and clinical practice
  
  

Though the conference has ended, the momentum continues. Juvenile Arthritis Research is now focused on building on the relationships forged at #BSR25 and advancing its mission to improve the lives of those affected by JIA.

For more information or to connect with the team, visit www.jarproject.org/bsr