We are currently updating our website. Please contact us if you find any broken links and we will be happy to help.
Being told that your child has a long-term health condition can be daunting, and can leave you feeling isolated and alone. We have developed A Little Box Of Hope support packs to show that children with juvenile arthritis, and their families, are not alone. Each Little Box Of Hope is packed with information to help parents and their children, and to reassure them that they are not alone.
The idea behind A Little Box Of Hope came from 7 year old Abbie, who has juvenile arthritis, and her mum Sam. They wanted to give hope to other families dealing with a diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). When Abbie herself was diagnosed when she was just 1 year old, Sam felt very alone and really didn't know where to turn for help or information. She wanted to change this, and in the years since Abbie’s diagnosis has been thinking of ways to help other families with JIA. Abbie herself also wanted to be part of making a positive change. Together they developed the idea of A Little Box Of Hope and joined Juvenile Arthritis Research to make these support packs a reality.
Sam says, “We want to let families know that they are not alone with a diagnosis of JIA, and that there is support to be found from our groups, resources and other families. Families will always have somewhere to turn and someone to talk to about JIA whenever they need. A diagnosis of JIA is not the end of everything – there is life with JIA and hope for the future.”
Since creating the original Little Box Of Hope packs, we have also developed a "teen" version of the Little Box of Hope packs to be more suitable for older children aged 10 and over.
These are full of age-appropriate resources and information to support you and your family. You will also be invited to join our online peer support network.
We have a wealth of resources to support children, young people and adults with JIA and their families.
Our Little Box of Hope support packs are provided free of charge to families. Each box costs around £35 to prepare, fill and post so this is only possible with the donations and fundraising that you do. You can sponsor a box for a new family and help them know they are not alone with JIA. We want to be there for every family who has a child with JIA and can only do that with your support - thank you.
Our booklet, My JIA, is a comprehensive guide to living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It is aimed at anyone who has been diagnosed with JIA, as well as their parents, carers and schools and is packed full of information that will help you on your own journey with JIA. Copies are included in A Little Box Of Hope, or you can get your copy here.