Inspiring Resilience - Empowering Lives

About Us

Our Vision

A world where everyone of all ages living with inflammatory arthritis can freely pursue their dreams and live life to the full.
Having inflammatory arthritis should not be a barrier for anyone of any age to live the life they want.

Our Mission

Empower anyone of any age impacted by inflammatory arthritis. Giving them the tools and support they need to take control of their lives and navigate uncertain times with confidence and resilience.
We know that living with inflammatory arthritis, a chronic fluctuating disease, is not always easy. However, IAUK will always be there to support you. .

At Inflammatory Arthritis UK (IAUK), we know that living with inflammatory arthritis (IA) is so much more than just joint pain. Founded by Debbie and Katy who have over 50 years of lived experience of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis respectively. IAUK is a patient-led charity created by people with IA, for people with IA.

Our mission is to inspire resilience, empower lives, and create a supportive community for everyone affected by IA, no matter their age or diagnosis. We are here to break down misconceptions and shine a light on the realities of living with a fluctuating chronic condition and the often overlooked commonalities of IA such as fatigue, pain, flares, and the emotional impact.

Through our weekly podcast Inflammatory! Navigating Life with IA, community support, real-life stories, and collaborative work with researchers, healthcare professionals and policy makers, we are driving change and making sure the voices of those living with IA are truly heard.

IAUK is more than a charity. It’s a movement led by people who get it. And together, we’re building a future where no one with IA feels alone.

Meet our Founders

Debbie Wilson

Debbie was diagnosed with JIA at a very young age and still lives with condition to this day. She is also a parent of a child living with inflammatory arthritis as her eldest daughter has been diagnosed with JIA. Debbie knows only too well the impact this has on childhood, teenager years and adulthood. She has now become a well-respected patient/parent representative and advocate for children and young people living with inflammatory arthritis.
Katy Pieris
Katy was diagnosed with RA in her late twenties, around the time she moved in with her boyfriend (now husband). After the initial shock of finding out she had to go on lifelong medication and not knowing what her future held, Katy decided to run the London Marathon and volunteered for the London Olympic opening ceremony as a dancer. She has a family, works full time, regularly plays netball and is a respected patient representative.

Our core values

Resilience
To help inspire resilience for anyone any age impacted by inflammatory arthritis the confidence to adapt, and grow in the face of challenges and adversity. IAUK will also embody resilience is to help shape how the charity operates, the support it provides, and our long-term goals.
Empowerment
We want to help people feel in control of their lives, give them more confidence and encourage them to achieve and thrive in life.
Integrity
We always aim to show accountability and consistently act with honest/fairness and transparency in everything we do.
Compassion
We want to help improve the lives of people affected by inflammatory arthritis. It's why we approach everything we do with kindness, respect and support
Collaboration
Working together makes us stronger. We listen to and collaborate with anyone impacted by inflammatory arthritis, including families, friends, carers and clinicians, our supporters and fundraisers. Every day, we learn from one another.

Our Charity Objectives