Council buildings to light up blue in support of World Arthritis Day

To mark World Arthritis Day, the charity Versus Arthritis, in partnership with local councils, will light prominent buildings across Northern Ireland blue to raise awareness of a condition it says is far too often ignored and misunderstood. The two-day campaign will take place on Sunday, October 12, and Monday, October 13.

Among the landmarks to be illuminated are: Causeway Coast and Glens – Council HQ at Cloonavin, Coleraine; Derry City and Strabane - Alley Theatre, Strabane and the Council Offices, Strand Road; Mid Ulster - Ranfurly House, Dungannon, and Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown.

In Northern Ireland, there are currently as many as 525,000 people, around 29% of the adult population living with musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, today. 

Speaking on the action from the charity on World Arthritis Day, Siobhan Edgar, aged 63 from County Armagh, shares her experience of living with osteoarthritis: “I have lived with arthritis for 36 years now and underwent knee replacement surgery in 2024 after waiting for over seven years for the operation. Now I need my other knee replaced and with the waiting times like they are, I can’t help but feel back where I started. 

“I was referred to orthopaedics in August for total knee replacement surgery and was told last month that the waiting list, just to see the surgeon, is four and a half years. I won’t be placed on the surgery waiting list until after I have been seen by the surgeon.  

“Although being on the waiting list for a long time isn’t something that is new to me after getting my first knee replaced, I am now very aware of the impact it will have on my life.  

“Living with pain that affects every aspect of your life is incredibly tough. I can’t help but feel every time I try and do something, it feels like I'm going 2 steps forward and then one step back.”

Nearly 24,000 people are waiting to be admitted for orthopaedic surgery in Northern Ireland, with 64% waiting more than a year. The statistics also show that in some areas, one in twenty are waiting around six years for surgery, such as a hip or knee replacement - a treatment that could transform their lives. 

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Sara Graham, Head of Northern Ireland at Versus Arthritis said: “The impact that arthritis has on the community is huge and is often overlooked and misunderstood. It can affect people of all ages and can significantly affect their quality of life, something that Siobhan knows all too well.

“Now more than ever it is so important we continue to highlight the issues people who live with arthritis in Northern Ireland face every day.

“We are so grateful to councils collaborating with Versus Arthritis across Northern Ireland who plan to light up buildings in blue to mark World Arthritis Day.

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“It is a great reminder to the community who live with arthritis and MSK conditions of hope, that they are not alone and the people of Northern Ireland take arthritis seriously.”

Arthritis affects 10 million people in the UK. Many people experience severe pain, fatigue, and reduced mobility everyday – affecting the ability to work, care for a family, and live independently. 

The charity wants the light-up of buildings to inspire people with arthritis in the community to share their stories and experiences, and to know they are not alone and there is support available to those who need it.

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As well as raising awareness of arthritis and investing in research, the charity offers practical support through a range of services.

These include information about the conditions, self-management advice, exercise programmes, online communities and how you can get involved. To find out more about the support on offer provided by the charity, please CLICK HERE.