Navigating Arthritis Volunteer

Time commitment: Flexible, each session lasts 1 – 2.5 hours plus time for training and reflective practice

Travel: A community-based venue 

Are you looking for an opportunity to use your creativity, energy and excellent skills to really make an impact? Would you like to find a rewarding and fulfilling way for others to benefit from your knowledge and experience? 

We are currently recruiting Navigating Arthritis Volunteers in the location(s) listed below. We would love you to volunteer with us! 

About the role

Make support for arthritis easier to find. Make someone’s day. Make a real difference. 

Every day, people living with arthritis feel unsure where to turn. You can change that — in just a few hours a month. 

As a Navigating Arthritis Volunteer, you’ll help people in your community get the information and support they need, fast. No medical knowledge needed. Just your enthusiasm, kindness and local knowhow. 

Three ways to make an impact - Choose one. Mix a few. Flex it around your life. 

  • Chat & Share 
    Host info tables, refresh leaflets, and chat with people at community events.
  • Connect Locally 
    Connect with community organisations and share information about Arthritis UK in ways that feel relevant and useful to each setting 
  • Give Short Talks 
    Use our ready-made materials to deliver simple, confidence boosting talks 

Why you’ll love it

  • Flexible, low-pressure volunteering
  • Meet new people
  • Make life easier for those living with arthritis
  • Full training, resources and support
  • Expenses covered
  • A warm, welcoming team cheering you on
  • A mix of online and face to face 

Don’t worry if you

  • Don’t have qualifications or experience 
  • Aren’t an arthritis expert - we’ll give you the training 
  • Can’t do every activity - just pick what suits you 

What you won’t be expected to do 

  • Provide ongoing one-to-one support 
  • Give medical advice 
  • Recommend specific services 
  • Make home visits or be ‘on call’ 
  • Have all the answers 
  • Commit to fixed weekly times 
  • Negotiate or manage partnerships 
  • Make commitments on behalf of Arthritis UK 

Download the role profile for a Navigating Arthritis Volunteer.

If you have any questions about this role before applying, please contact volunteering@arthritis-uk.org.

How to apply

You must be based in the UK to apply for this opportunity.

Please complete and submit the Volunteering Application Form online, please include the relevant code for the location of the role you are interested in: 

  • Navigating Arthritis Volunteer (197) - London (England).

When we have received your application, we will be in touch. 

Our safer recruitment process will include: 

  • An informal chat to discuss the role, get to know you and understand your motivations for volunteering 
  • Two references 
  • Photo identification.   

About us

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our charity and we welcome candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.  We want our employees, volunteers, trustees and involved people to represent the broad diversity of the communities of which we are a part.    

Over 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK live with arthritis. That’s one in six of us living with the pain, fatigue, disability, mental and financial strain it can cause. Many more live with arthritis but remain undiagnosed, untreated and unsupported. 

We know the impact of arthritis can be huge, affecting the ability to work, care for family, move free from pain and live independently.  Yet for a condition affecting so many, it’s poorly understood and far too little is done.  That’s why we invest in life-changing research into better treatments, support people through the daily challenges of life with arthritis, and campaign on the issues that matter most to people living with it. 

At Arthritis UK, we won’t rest until everyone with arthritis has access to the treatments and support they need to live the life they choose, with real hope of a cure in the future. 

Arthritis UK is committed to keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from harm. During the recruitment process we will undertake safer recruitment practices and relevant checks to ensure applicants are suitable to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.  

Read more about volunteering for us.

Animal Research

We are committed to developing new treatments for arthritis. To achieve this, we fund a broad range of medical research, and this includes research which uses animals. For further information, please see Animal Research Policy.