Media enquiries

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) provides expert comment on musculoskeletal (MSK) health, pain, mobility, prevention, work and health, and NHS community services. We represent a UK wide alliance of patient organisations, professional bodies and research groups working to improve bone, joint and muscle health.

MSK conditions affect 20 million people and are a leading cause of pain, disability and lost productivity. We work to ensure MSK health is recognised as a national priority in policy and practice.

What we can comment on

• Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and national policy

• NHS community MSK services, access and waiting lists

• Prevention, physical activity and healthy ageing

• Work, health and the economic impact of MSK conditions

• Inequalities in pain, mobility and access to care

• Workforce and service models in community MSK care

• The links between MSK health, independence and quality of life.

Spokesperson

Adrian Bradley, Chief Executive, ARMA

Available for national comment on MSK policy, health system reform, prevention, and work & health.

Contact

Media enquiries:

Email: xxxxxxxxxxxx

We aim to respond to media enquiries as quickly as possible.

Privacy notice

Who we are

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1108851).

ARMA brings together patient organisations, professional bodies, researchers and partners across the UK to improve the lives of the 20 million people living with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.

We work to strengthen recognition of MSK health, influence policy and support collaboration across the health and care system. In doing so we engage with policymakers, clinicians, voluntary organisations, researchers, industry partners and people with lived experience of MSK conditions.

We want to maintain the trust and confidence of everyone who engages with our work, including visitors to our website, subscribers to our newsletters, event participants and people who contribute to our consultations and policy activity.

For the purposes of data protection law, ARMA is the data controller of the personal information we collect.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal information responsibly in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This privacy notice explains when and why we collect personal information, how we use it and how we keep it secure.

If you have questions about this notice you can contact us at:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.arma.uk.net

What information we collect

We may collect personal information when you interact with ARMA. This may include:

Contact information

• Name

• Organisation and job title

• Email address

• Telephone number

• Postal address where relevant.

Engagement information

Information you provide when you:

• Subscribe to our newsletters

• Register for an event or webinar

• Take part in consultations or surveys

• Participate in ARMA projects, working groups or policy discussions

• Contact us directly.

This may include information about your professional role, organisation or areas of interest.

Sensitive information

Occasionally individuals contributing to ARMA’s work may share personal information relating to health conditions or lived experience. Where this happens we will seek explicit consent before storing or using that information and will only use it for the purpose for which it was provided.

Website usage information

When you visit our website we may collect limited technical information such as:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Pages visited

• Date and time of access.

This information helps us understand how our website is used and improve its performance.

How we collect information

We collect personal information when you:

• Sign up for newsletters or updates

• Register for ARMA events or meetings

• Take part in consultations, surveys or policy engagement

• Contact us by email, website forms or other correspondence

• Visit and interact with our website.

We only collect information that is necessary for the relevant activity.

How we use your information

We use personal information to:

• Send newsletters, updates and communications you have requested

• Organise and manage events, webinars and meetings

• Facilitate consultations, policy engagement and collaborative work across the MSK community

• Respond to enquiries or requests

• Understand how our website and communications are used

• Improve our work and the information we provide

• Support the charitable purposes and mission of ARMA.

Legal basis for processing

Under UK data protection law, ARMA relies on the following lawful bases when processing personal information.

Consent

Where you choose to subscribe to newsletters or opt in to communications from us. You can withdraw consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our emails or contacting us directly.

Legitimate interests

Where processing is necessary to support ARMA’s charitable mission, including:

• Engaging with stakeholders and partners

• Organising events and consultations

• Promoting understanding of MSK health.

We carefully balance our legitimate interests with your rights and privacy.

Legal obligations

In some cases we may process personal information where required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations.

Email communications

If you subscribe to ARMA newsletters or updates we may use secure third party email platforms to manage subscriptions and send communications. These systems may provide limited information such as whether an email has been opened or whether links have been clicked. This helps us improve the relevance and effectiveness of our communications.

You can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time.

Events

When you register for an ARMA event we may collect information such as your name, organisation, job title and email address so we can:

• Manage the event

• Communicate with you about the event

• Ensure the event meets participants’ needs

• Follow up with materials or feedback after the event.

For some events we may use external event registration platforms. These providers process personal information on our behalf and must protect it in accordance with data protection law.

Surveys and consultations

From time to time we may run surveys or consultations to gather views from members, partners or stakeholders.

If you choose to participate, the information you provide will be used to inform ARMA’s work and improve our policy and engagement activities.

Cookies and website analytics

Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to help us understand how visitors use the site and where improvements can be made. This may include information such as pages visited, time spent on the website and how visitors navigate the site.

This information is generally aggregated and does not identify individual visitors. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

Embedded content and social media

Our website may include embedded content from other websites, such as videos or social media feeds. Embedded content behaves in the same way as if you visited the external website and may collect data according to that website’s own privacy policy.

Sharing your information

ARMA does not sell or trade personal information.

We may share information with trusted service providers who support the operation of our website, communications or events. These organisations process data only on ARMA’s behalf and must protect it appropriately.

We will only share personal information where necessary and lawful to do so.

How we protect your information

ARMA takes appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or alteration.

How long we keep your information

We keep personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected. For example:

• Newsletter subscription data is kept until you unsubscribe

• Event registration data is normally retained for a limited period after the event

• Consultation responses may be retained where relevant to ARMA’s policy work.

We regularly review and update our records to ensure information is accurate and not held for longer than necessary.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have several rights relating to your personal information, including the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you

• Request correction of inaccurate information

• Request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances

• Object to certain types of processing

• Request restriction of processing

• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us.

Complaints

If you have concerns about how we use your personal information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office:

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Website:

Changes to this notice

We may update this privacy notice from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.

Last updated: March 2026

Complaints and feedback

At the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) we aim to carry out our work in line with our values — ambitious, bold, compass and determined.

We welcome feedback about our work. While we always aim to get things right first time, complaints can help us learn and improve.

What is a complaint

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction about any aspect of ARMA’s work, services or conduct.

Complaints may relate to issues such as:

• An ARMA event, meeting or activity

• Information published by ARMA

• The behaviour of someone representing ARMA

• Administrative or communication issues.

ARMA can only deal with complaints relating to our own work and activities. Complaints about other organisations, including ARMA member organisations, should be directed to those organisations directly.

How to make a complaint

If you have a complaint, please contact us in writing.

Email: [email protected]

Please include as much information as possible about the issue so we can investigate it properly.

What happens next

We aim to deal with complaints promptly and fairly.

Our process is normally as follows:

• The complaint will be acknowledged within 7 days.

• The Chief Executive will review the complaint and investigate the issue.

• We may contact you if we need additional information.

• We aim to provide a full response within 21 days.

If the complaint concerns the Chief Executive, it should be addressed to the Chair of Trustees, who will oversee the investigation.

If an investigation is likely to take longer than 21 days we will explain the reason and keep you informed of progress.

If you are not satisfied

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may request a review by writing to the Chair of Trustees.

A trustee who was not involved in the original investigation will review the complaint and provide a final response.

Learning from complaints

We record formal complaints and review them to help us improve our work. Where appropriate we will identify steps to prevent similar issues arising in the future.

Further escalation

If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome, you may contact the Charity Commission for England and Wales, which regulates charities in England and Wales.

Accessibility

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Terms of use

About this website

This website is operated by the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA). By using this website, you agree to these terms of use. If you do not agree, you should not use the site.

ARMA may update these terms from time to time. Please check this page periodically.

About ARMA

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) is a UK charity working to improve musculoskeletal (MSK) health and the lives of the 20 million people affected by MSK conditions.

Registered address:

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

c/o International House

109–111 Fulham Palace Road

London

W6 8JA

Registered charity number: 1108851

Use of website content

All content on this website is provided for general information purposes only. While we aim to ensure information is accurate and up to date, ARMA makes no guarantees about completeness or accuracy.

Content should not be considered medical, legal or professional advice. Individuals should seek appropriate professional advice where necessary.

Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, all content on this website including text, publications, graphics, logos and design is the property of ARMA or used with permission.

You may:

• View and download content for personal or professional use

• Share links to ARMA content

• Quote extracts with appropriate acknowledgement.

You may not:

• Reproduce content for commercial purposes without permission

• Modify content in a misleading way

• Remove copyright or attribution notices.

For permission requests please contact: [email protected]

Policy independence

ARMA is an independent, member led charity. Our policy positions are developed in collaboration with our members and are guided by evidence, lived experience and our charitable objectives.

While ARMA works with a wide range of partners, including professional bodies, charities and industry organisations, we maintain our independence at all times. Partnerships and funding arrangements do not determine ARMA’s policy positions.

Links to other websites

This website may include links to external websites for information purposes. ARMA is not responsible for the content or reliability of external websites and inclusion does not imply endorsement.

Acceptable use

You agree not to use this website:

• In any way that breaches applicable laws or regulations

• To transmit harmful or malicious material

• To attempt unauthorised access to the website or its systems

• To disrupt the operation or security of the site.

ARMA reserves the right to restrict access where misuse is identified.

Availability of the website

ARMA aims to keep the website available and functioning but does not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may suspend or withdraw the site for maintenance, updates or security reasons.

Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law, ARMA excludes liability for any loss or damage arising from use of this website or reliance on its content.

This includes (but is not limited to):

• Loss of data

• Loss of income

• Business interruption

• Indirect or consequential losses.

Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or other liability that cannot legally be excluded.

Privacy and cookies

Use of this website is also governed by our Privacy Notice and Cookies Policy, which explain how we collect and use personal information.

Accessibility

ARMA is committed to ensuring this website is accessible. If you experience any accessibility barriers, please contact us and we will aim to provide information in an alternative format.

Contact: [email protected]

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts.

Contact

If you have questions about these terms, please contact: [email protected]