From The Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD) by Ali Wilkins: Local health charity launches 50th Anniversary event programme
Last week, local charity, Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD), launched its 50th anniversary event programme at a high-profile talk on diet and health by Professor Tim Spector, author and pioneering scientist of microbiome research. This sell-out event held by Bath Festivals on Tues 28th January at The Bath Forum marked the start of the Rebalance Bath Festival and was attended by over 800 people. As event sponsor, BIRD, invited patients to attend the talk who value advice on diet to help them manage the symptoms of their arthritis or other rheumatic conditions.
Arthritis affects one in six people in the UK according to The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2024 Report and can affect people’s ability to work, move freely without pain or to live independently. In his talk, Professor Spector shared advice on foods that help reduce arthritic symptoms, such as fermented foods, and revealed that he was a consultant rheumatologist prior to his career in scientific research and often visited Bath’s Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD).
To mark their 50th anniversary in 2025, Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases, has planned a series of new events and activities aimed at patients and their families, professionals and researchers. Events and activities will include a creative writing workshop for patients in June, a networking event for several patient member organisations, the commissioning of patient films, podcasts and webinars and a special awards ceremony for staff at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases. BIRD will support health care professionals by grant funding bursaries, a hospital post and education programmes to help them improve their knowledge and care for patients. The charity will also fund research projects and posts at the University of Bath.
Established in 1975, the Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases was formed to create a bridge between the clinicians at the Royal United Hospital, Bath and research at the University of Bath. Today the charity supports arthritis research, education and patient engagement and works alongside the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) in Bath to improve the lives of people with arthritis and related conditions. BIRD’s engagement Initiatives work with patients to help them understand their condition, involve them in research studies and increase their confidence to self-manage and live well with a rheumatic disease such as arthritis.
Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath who is supporting BIRD’s 50th Anniversary said: “I’m delighted to honour the start of BIRD’s 50th anniversary and to thank the team at BIRD and everyone associated with it, for the charity’s incredible contribution to the research life of Bath. BIRD has contributed greatly to Bath’s reputation as a place of study of rheumatic diseases and the support of many thousands of patients who have benefitted from their research and from the training of clinicians and healthcare professionals. More recently BIRD’s innovative patient engagement activity and information, such as their popular podcast, provides useful insights on treatments or lifestyle advice to people living with a rheumatic condition.”
Dave Crook, from Bath who is a regular attendee of BIRD events said: “Well done to BIRD for sponsoring Tim Spector’s talk at Bath Forum and once again championing well researched and evidence-based, traditional and alternative treatments, for those with a rheumatic disease like myself. His talk explained how microorganisms in our gut affect our general health and overall wellbeing, including mood and energy levels, even small changes to our diet can achieve improvements, including for those of us affected by rheumatoid conditions. I look forward to more valuable content and events from BIRD over their 50th anniversary year.”
Celia Mead, Executive Director at Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases said: “Tim Spector’s talk was significant for patients as recent scientific discoveries on the microbiome have fascinating relevance for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including most rheumatic diseases. In 2025 we are looking forward to sharing new events, awards and expert resources on rheumatic diseases with a wider audience through our events and online channels. The team at BIRD are excited to be working closely with patients to deepen their understanding of their rheumatic disease by sharing the latest research and treatments available. Please join us at our 50th anniversary events and activities if you can.”
During the ReBalance Bath Festival, BIRD is also supporting a seated dance event for those with chronic pain on 3rd February at the Assembly Rooms with community dance practitioner, Sam Grief. This event is a pilot for a new series of wellbeing events to be offered by BIRD to its community of patients and followers.
To subscribe to BIRD’s patient information services, take part in research or donate visit www.birdbath.org.uk
Notes:
- Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD) exists to support arthritis research, education and patient engagement. BIRD strives to put patients at the centre of our work, recognising and encouraging the importance of their voice in research and the development of treatment and options open to them. We encourage and fund research projects between the University of Bath and the RNHRD, we educate healthcare professionals in aspects of rheumatic disease and we engage with a large number of patients to both deepen their understanding and to encourage them to get involved in research.
- BIRD supports researchers and students to attend Rheumatology conferences each year with bursaries, helping to further their knowledge, network, education and careers. BIRD supported £70,000 worth of grants to research projects in 2023.
- Sources: The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2024 Report by Versus Arthritis the-state-of-musculoskeletal-health-2024.pdf (versusarthritis.org)