ARTHRITIS is the biggest cause of physical disability in the UK today.

There are more than 200 types of arthritis affecting an estimated eight million people. This includes more than 14,500 children and one million under the age of 45.

Forty-one per cent of people over the age of 65 have arthritis.

Arthritis Care is the only national charity working with and for all people with arthritis. Founded in 1947 it currently has more than 62,000 members and 610 branches and self-help groups.

There are also 27 Young Arthritis Care groups with more than 2,800 members and these groups are specifically for people under the age of 46.

Arthritis Care works to promote the health, well-being and independence of people with arthritis by providing information, personal support and encouragement. Personal development training and self management are important elements in this approach.

The Winsford branch of Arthritis Care was set up in 1991 and since then has been working to provide support, information and encouragement to the people in Winsford who have arthritis.

Meeting in the evening of the second Thursday of each month at Meadowbank Lodge in Grange Lane, the branch provides a varied programme ranging from subjects of general interest to those specific to people with arthritis.

Each year members of the branch go on holiday to one of Arthritis Care's four hotels and two years ago the branch was awarded a £6,000 lottery grant in order to extend this facility to other people within Winsford.

Arthritis Care Week 1999 is from April 24 to May 1 and the intention this year is to raise people's awareness of arthritis, the help and support that is available to people with arthritis, their families and carers, and the part that Arthritis Care, both nationally and locally, can play.

If you would like to know more about Arthritis Care, the work being done here in Winsford, and would like to join the local branch, then please telephone either 01606 553190 or 01606 592847.

Ron Attley,

Chairman, Winsford and District Branch,

Arthritis Care.

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