Young people with arthritis enjoy special alpaca walk in Bannau Brycheiniog

Young people living with arthritis and their families have come together for an alpaca walk in Bannau Brycheiniog.

The event was organised by Arthritis UK’s Young People and Families support service, giving families the chance to meet others living with similar experiences.

The walk was hosted by Alpaca My Boots trekking centre, with participants encouraged to take part at their own pace.

Many attending live with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), an autoimmune form of arthritis affecting children and young people. About 10,000 children under 16 are estimated to live with the condition in the UK.

Staying active can be an important part of managing arthritis, but pain and fatigue can make exercise feel daunting.

The event allowed young people to enjoy gentle movement, while parents could share experiences and gain an insight into living with arthritis.

One parent said the highlight was “for my newly diagnosed daughter to see that there are other children living with the same condition”.

The young people praised “the unpredictability of the Alpacas!” and said: “These events are so important and help anyone, like a lot of us with JIA, feel less isolated”.

Elinor Tuckey, Young People and Families Manager at Arthritis UK, said the afternoon had been “delightful”.

“It was wonderful to see them enjoying the walk, making connections, and meeting some unforgettable woolly companions,” she said.

Ms Tuckey said there was still a lack of awareness of arthritis among children and young people, which could leave families feeling isolated after diagnosis.

She said the service aimed to build a supportive community for young people and families managing JIA.

“Activities like an alpaca walk can act as fun, natural ice breakers,” she said.

For more information about Arthritis UK’s Young People and Families Service, visit www.arthritis-uk.org/young-people-and-families or email [email protected]