What is Arthritis Assist?
Arthritis Assist is an evidence based telephone support program using the Peers for Progress model. This is recognised world-wide as a leading guide for designing peer-support programs.
We know all too well that life with arthritis can be daunting, uncertain or overwhelming. You are not alone – Arthritis Assist can connect you with a fully trained peer-mentor who will phone you at a time that suits you. You can have up to 6-support calls with your peer-mentor.
- Over 614* people across Australia have now spoken with one of our Peer-Mentors since the Program launched in late 2019.
- Peer-Mentors have made over 1,313* calls to people living with arthritis in Australia.
*Data updated December 2024.
How can Arthritis Assist help?
- Free, confidential, and available arthritis support to anyone living in Australia with arthritis.
- People who have completed the program have reported that they
- feel more supported to manage their arthritis, and
- have much better knowledge of where to find more arthritis information and support.
Speak with someone who understands
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Register for Arthritis Assist using the form below. It will open to a new page with a pre-program questionnaire.
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The form should only take 5 minutes to complete. We cannot organise a peer mentor to phone you until the form is completed.
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Once completed, we’ll be in touch with you in 1-2 days to match you with your peer-mentor.
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Your peer-mentor will give you a call at a time that suits you!
Register Now
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Arthritis Assist Program FAQs
Absolutely! We’ll ask you a few questions to understand the sort of support you need. We’ll then connect you with a Peer-Mentor that is
best positioned to help you. From support for Rheumatoid Arthritis to Osteoarthritis and many other types of arthritis, talk to
us today to be connected with the right mentor for you.
Yes, we have a number of fully trained Peer-Mentors who can help support Australians of all ages living with arthritis. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or have been living with arthritis for many years, we can connect you with a peer that understands your experience.
Once you’ve contacted us through the application form, we’ll reach out with a few questions to ensure we understand the support you need. This helps us to match you with the best Peer-Mentor for your arthritis and circumstances. Then you’ll be connected with your Peer-Mentor in 1-2 days.
It’s that easy!
The Peers for Progress Model describes peer support as “practical, social, emotional, ongoing support from a person who shares similar experiences with a disease or health problem.”
Arthritis Assist Peer-Mentors provide support to Australian’s living with arthritis through active listening, sharing personal experiences, and by helping to find and access suitable information and services to support living well with arthritis.
Arthritis Assist is funded through the generous support of The Arthritis Movement’s donors.
Completing the form on this webpage and sharing some information about yourself and your arthritis journey will help us match you with one of our trained Peer Mentors who closely shares similarities with you
Your Peer-Mentor will give you a call at a time that best suits you. They’ll get to know you a little and listen to what you’re going through.
Everyone’s situation is different, and so is their support needs. Peer-Mentors tailor their support to each person they speak with. They may share their own experiences and tips, help to answer your questions, assist you in setting goals or taking actionable steps to take control of your arthritis. Or, they may simply just listen.
You can organise up to 6 initial calls with your Peer-Mentor.
When you register your interest in speaking with a Peer-Mentor, we’ll ask you to complete a few questions to tell us a little about yourself. We then use this information to match you with one of our trained Peer-Mentors that closely shares similarities with you.
We match on similarities like age, gender, type of arthritis, type of treatment, life situations (e.g. being a parent or carer), your/Peer-Mentor available times, or anything specific you would like a Peer-Mentor to help support you with.
While we do our best when finding your Peer-Mentor match, we understand that sometimes the connection might just not be right. If this is the case, we’ll match you to a new Peer-Mentor.
You can have up to 6 support calls with your Peer-Mentor. The length of each call is up to you and your peer-mentor.
Some people may like to have a partner, family member or close friend join them in a conversation with their Peer-Mentor. Peer-Mentors should be made aware of anyone else intending to join a call and decide if they are comfortable with this before continuing.
Arthritis Assist is a confidential service. All information provided to The Arthritis Movement or discussed with your Peer-Mentor falls under The Arthritis Movement’s Privacy Policy and Privacy Collection Statement.
You can register to speak with a Peer-Mentor if you are living in Australia, and you live with arthritis, or care for a child living with arthritis.
All that is needed to access the Program is a phone connection/phone number.
No, Arthritis Assist is a free service.
We understand that plans can change, appointments may arise, or somedays you just may not feel up to talking. If you organise a time for your Peer-Mentor to phone but will no longer be available, just let us know and we’ll help you and your Peer-Mentor reschedule.
Our Peer-Mentors each have differing availabilities, and many are available to phone outside of usual business hours. Once you’ve registered your interest to speak with a Peer-Mentor, we’ll check with you what times you are available and take this into account when matching you to your Peer-Mentor.
Arthritis Assist is available to anyone in Australia with arthritis.
