What is Joint Potential?
We have free weekends and workshops for people aged 16-25 with arthritis or related conditions. Find one near you.
Joint Potential, part of the Young People and Families Service for Scotland, is a programme of events for young people with arthritis, and related conditions, aged 16-25 years old. Our residential weekends and one day events are for anyone with any form of arthritis or related joint condition, living anywhere in Scotland. They’re free, plus we cover travel expenses, accommodation and food.
"Joint Potential is an enormous help to feelings of isolation and self-esteem. It helps you feel accepted and cheers you up."
For more information contact: Klaire Connor, Young People and Families Manager, Scotland at K.Connor@versusarthritis.org Tel: 0141 954 7776.
If you are interested in signing up for a Joint Potential weekend or event contact: Megan McGarrigle M.Mcgarrigle@versusarthritis.org, Young People and Families Worker.
To find out about our project for 10-18 year olds visit the Take Control page.
Joint Potential Weekends – General Overview
The weekends are residential – they start on a Friday evening and finish after lunch on the Sunday. There are 12 participants, and you’ll be supported by our volunteer Youth Contacts who are all young people with arthritis.
During a weekend we will explore the theme and do a range of group discussions and activities. We will also have a fun activity on the Saturday afternoon. In the past we have done a Mocktail Masterclass, laser tag, go-karting and visited castles. You will also have free time to use the hotel facilities and chill out.
Activity Weekend
Challenge and achievement
Our activity weekends are held at an activity centre. The weekends are relaxed, unpressurised and lots of fun. Over the years we've done canoeing, rock climbing, cycling, horse riding, abseiling - all made fully accessible and adaptable for all levels whether you want to really challenge yourself or dip your toe in.
We stay in comfortable lodges, and there’s always fun and games, and often a campfire – with marshmallows of course!
"It was such a fun-filled inspirational weekend and a great way to meet lovely, lovely people who have had similar experiences to me regarding arthritis."
"The gorge walking was my favourite – a real challenge. And the abseiling was super scary but gave me a chance to push myself! Thank you so much."
Positive Future Weekend
Sharing and confidence building
"Joint Potential is a fantastic way to meet other young adults with similar problems. It's good to be able to chat and share experiences without prejudice and with confidence."
The Positive Future workshop lets participants talk about the challenges arthritis or related conditions can cause, and then explore ways to solve them. You'll build self-esteem and confidence and learn how to be assertive and to set achievable goals.
As well as the workshop sessions, there’s a fun activity away to give everyone a chance to try something new.
"I think this is a really great opportunity and it makes me feel so comfortable being around people with the same condition."
Joint Potential Positive Future weekends start on Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. Locations vary, and each weekend is led by trained youth contacts who are all young people with arthritis.
"Joint Potential has a really positive influence on my self-confidence and on me understanding on how arthritis affects me mentally. It shows us all how we can positively impact our thoughts and feelings about arthritis."
Self-Image Weekend
Self-awareness and confidence
"I see myself in a different light now and think more about how others see me. I hope to be able to think about my arthritis in a different way and be more comfortable with acknowledging it."
The Self-Image weekend does not focus on arthritis, but on how seeing yourself clearly can help confidence, relationships and decision making. Participants are challenged to examine their own attitudes and values and encouraged to think positively about themselves and their future. As well as the workshop sessions, there’s fun activity to give everyone a chance to try something new.
Joint Potential Self-Image weekends start on Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. Locations vary, and each weekend is led by trained youth contacts who are all young people with arthritis.
Good Relationships Weekend
Self-esteem and values
"It was very relevant, and I will definitely take a lot away from this."
This weekend allows participants to think about the many relationships in their life in a safe setting, and develops self-awareness through examining personal opinions, beliefs, and values. It explores the links between self-esteem and personal relationships.
The weekend helps participants gain a better understanding of how to build good relationships with the people that are important to them now, and those who could be in the future.
During this weekend we also run a session called 'sex: facts and fertility' where we invite a panel of different experts in to enable the group to have discussions and ask questions from medical professionals to mums living with rheumatoid arthritis, it’s a safe environment to ask questions and learn from others.
Joint Potential Good Relationships weekend start on Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. Locations vary, and each weekend is led by trained youth contacts who are all young people with arthritis.
Moving Up and Moving On Weekend
Change and positivity
"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and, even after living with rheumatoid arthritis for many years, I have learned so much this weekend."
This weekend considers change and participants are asked to think about how they deal with change and are encouraged to use their life experiences in a positive way to make the most of their future.
As well as the workshop sessions, there’s fun activity to give everyone a chance to try something new.
"It was very important and empowering for me."
Joint Potential Moving Up and Moving Up weekends start on Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. Locations vary, and each weekend is led by trained youth contacts who are all young people with arthritis.
"The course was excellent, and it really helped me make sense of a lot of things."
One Day Workshops
Joint Potential Goes Wild
This one-day workshop will be focused on pacing and physical activity. Young people will have the opportunity to explore pacing and make a plan, we then take time in the afternoon to enjoy time at the zoo and of course putting the pacing plans into action.
Sleep Management
This workshop looks at what helps and hinders us sleeping well and what we can do to get the best night’s sleep. This year we delivered it as a residential event so we could put what we learnt into practise!
Pain Management
This workshop is based around the Pain Toolkit, we look at what pain means to us, what pain is and most importantly, try different techniques to decide what we are adding to our own personal 'toolkit' to use after the workshop. Because pain and sleep are so connected, this year we ran this as a residential with the Sleep workshop.
Sex: Facts and Fertility
A workshop exploring sex and fertility as a young person living with arthritis. This is a safe space to ask questions and learn from our panel of experts. We are now delivering this workshop as part of our relationships weekend.
Work in Clinics
We work in clinics across Scotland to support you and work with your healthcare teams. You will find us in Glasgow, Fife and Aberdeen on a regular basis.
For any questions about our work in clinics contact Klaire Connor at k.connor@versusarthritis.org.