Don’t Be Alone With JIA
Find your nearest local support group/s from our network of friendly community groups across England and Wales.
The CCAA local groups are a network of friendly groups run by volunteer parent reps. In the groups, we share experiences, offer mutual support online and in person and arrange regular meet-ups for the whole family in your local area.
We welcome children with JIA and all other rheumatological conditions, along with their families. If your child would like to meet other children living with the same condition and/or you would like to meet other parents going through the same issues then you’ve come to the right place!
As a family that has a child with JIA, we are sure you recognise the power and value of peer support whether that be parent to parent, young person to young person or sibling to sibling. We work closely with rheumatology centres, health professionals and their teams, other charities and researchers to ensure we support your family and signpost you to the best and most appropriate support and resources for your needs.
Have Fun!
What we do in our local meet-ups really depends on what our local area volunteers organise. Popular events have been bowling, mini golf or pottery painting. There is no agenda and the aim is to meet and have some fun!
Share Experiences
It can really help to chat to other families about their experiences with JIA. Maybe they are facing some challenges that you have managed to overcome or vice versa. Perhaps your child will feel better after meeting another child on the same medication. Maybe your child’s siblings will feel more able to talk about their brother or sister’s condition with other families in the same boat.
Meet Other Families
It can feel easier to naviagate life with JIA when you have friends in the local area to share the journey with. It is likely that you may share the same healthcare set up or be at the same or nearby schools. The idea is to get together so that parents/carers and siblings as well as the young people with JIA can feel less alone. Then when you feel you just need a quick coffee with someone who gets it you will have some local connections to call on!
Feel Less Alone
All of us have felt alone with JIA at some point and it can be hard to find other families who understand because JIA is relatively unknown…until it occurs in your family! Even though coming along for the first time can feel daunting, most families find it a huge relief to meet others who are dealing with the same condition.
Becoming a Local Area Rep
CCAA are always looking to expand the number of local groups we have around the UK to increase the regional support available for families. If you have been on your JIA journey a while and would be interested in finding out more about becoming a local area parent rep, please complete the online form below.
We carry out DBS and reference checks on all our parent rep volunteers. We will also ask that you speak with someone in your paediatric rheumatology team to refer you to us as part of the process. Training will be offered, and CCAA will cover all related expenses.