Message from our chief executive


The year 2009 will long be remembered by many charities as one in which they had to face financial pressures of an entirely new magnitude.


At Arthritis Care, pressure came from three directions: a decrease in the value of our reserves, a bigger pensions deficit and a marked decline in income from legacies, our biggest income stream.


Sitting back was not an option so we set up a forum with a specific remit to guide the organisation through the tough times. The forum comprised myself, officers from the board of trustees and senior managers. We buckled our belts and sought to make changes for positive reasons, rather than just to cut costs. Regrettably, some roles were lost while more positively others changed. We consulted widely with staff while the process was under way and, despite the uncertainty of the time, it is to the immense credit of our staff that virtually all of those who fed into the consultation fully supported the proposed changes.


As you will read in this report, we have made progress in being able to demonstrate the value and impact of our services. The statistics tell the story: we have extended our reach through the internet and other channels, so that in 2009 around a quarter of a million people engaged with Arthritis Care in one way or another.


However, while good progress was made on the cornerstones of our strategic plan, our main task remains that of paying our way without reducing the quality or volume of our services. Not an easy task. Costs have remained under control but income generation is still a major challenge. This is why I sought the board’s backing to radically overhaul our central fundraising resource.


At the heart of this change is the amalgamation of our public affairs and marketing and fundraising teams into one integrated unit. It is important that we communicate effectively and consistently with our major stakeholders – policymakers , donors, health professionals, those in the media and, most importantly of all, our members and the wider public. Indeed, this move towards more integrated campaigning is designed to establish greater co-ordination to do just that.


I am confident that this shift in emphasis will help us become even more effective. Our mission is clear: to support people with arthritis. And with around ten million people with arthritis in the UK, there is much to be done influencing the wider world as to the importance of our work, and raising new income to ensure that our services are sustainable well into the future.


Neil Betteridge Chief Executive


Arthritis Care Annual Report 2009 | 5


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