For Patients
We have a library of over 60 podcasts covering different conditions and topics for patients with expert guest speakers.
Podcasts
Our popular patient information podcasts on different rheumatology conditions feature a variety of experts in their field. This is an ever growing library. The podcasts give you an overview of the condition and medications, research news and tips for self-management. We are also committed to getting patients involved in research by sharing opportunities and offering support. We also run webinars for patients a few times a year. These webinars feature the same specialist speakers from the podcasts and offer another way of learning how to understand and better manage your rheumatology condition. To keep up to date with the podcast releases and webinar dates, sign up to receive our newsletters or follow us on social media, or finally, our website ‘News’ page.
Please join us and share ideas from your perspective, whether you are a patient a family member or friend – we invite and encourage everyone to get involved – you can find us on Twitter and Facebook or email Admin@birdbath.org.uk.




Webinars and Events
BIRD hosts patient webinars on different conditions with expert speakers from the RNHRD as well as other in-person events.
To register for one of our webinars or events, please see the listings below.
axSpA Patient Information webinar Series 2025 - in planning
TBC Coming in 2025
TBC
- Online, Zoom
Audience
Patients
Psoriatic Arthritis Patient Information Event
21 Jan 25
12.30pm – 2:30pm
- Online, Zoom
Audience
Patients
Seated Movement and Dance under the Luke Jerram's Helios Sun. Part of the ReBalance Festival
3rd February 25
10.30 – 11.30am
- Assembly Rooms, Bath, BA1 2QH
Audience
Patients




Get involved in Research
Can you help researchers? At BIRD we are are approached by researchers for help finding patient participants for projects that need patient engagement. Quite often this is helping researchers by completing surveys or participating in patient focus groups. Below is a list of research engagement requests that we currently have.
Researcher name | Project Name | Project description | Contact |
---|---|---|---|
HCI Bath | Virtual Reality: Gesture Accessibility | BIRD have been contacted by a team of Researchers from Bath University who are calling out for volunteers to screen for an exciting new piece of work involving Virtual Reality (VR). VR is a rapidly developing immersive technology offering exciting opportunities for entertainment, education, and work. However, many commercial VR devices require full mobility of the user’s hands to operate which is a big limitation and means certain people cannot properly access the experiences VR has to offer. The team are looking to address this limitation to make VR more accessible. For more information please contact the team via details. Click here to see a project poster with more details. | lsp40@bath.ac.uk |
Alaa Kattan, a PhD student at the University of Bath | Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) | Alaa Kattan, a PhD student at the University of Bath is conducting a research project on axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) to better understand the flare experiences from a patient’s perspective. Working alongside colleagues Professor Raj Sengupta, Dario Cazzola, Peter Rouse and Logan Wade, Alaa aims to explore patient opinions on using virtual reality exercises for pain management. Alaa has developed an e-survey and is looking to recruit volunteer individuals with axSpA who have recently experienced a flare for interviews. The interviews of approx. 1hr, will focus on experiences during flare and gather thoughts on the potential use of VR technology for managing pain that could lead to a further project. | ak2870@bath.ac.uk |
Jamie Baker, Mana Medical | Rheumatoid Arthritis | People with Rheumatoid Arthritis are being sought to take part in the development of a new app aimed at preventing the push and crash cycles that burden everyday life. If you would be willing to input one minute a day into an app over the course of four weeks, answer simple questions about your daily pain, stiffness and fatigue, this could help generate accurate, valuable daily suggestions. Mana Medical is a new company that has come to BIRD for help via a Rheumatologist from the RNHRD. Their solution plugs into any existing wearable you already have (e.g. Apple Watch, Fitbit) to help you understand your physical activity limits. Each day, the Mana app will guide you to the right level of physical activity that balances under-exertion and over-exertion. If you are overdoing it, they will send you an in-the-moment notification nudge to slow you down, which for some people helps manage delayed onset symptoms of pain and fatigue. If you are interested and own an iPhone and a smartwatch – either an Apple Watch, Fitbit or a Galaxy Samsung Watch – then please get in touch before Monday 24th February. The Mana team will spend approx. one week onboarding all participants, with a view to starting the 4 weeks of data collection on Monday 3rd March. In exchange for your time, Mana will be offering a £25 voucher for all participants. BIRD are not receiving any payment for this opportunity, because of our mutual interest in improving patients’ lives. If you are interested in participating in or would like more details, please email: Jamie Baker, his contact email is: jamie.baker@manamedical.co.uk | jamie.baker@manamedical.co.uk |
BIRD Patient Research Panel
We also have a ‘Patient Research Panel’. This panel is a group of people who are interested in the research process. Sometimes researchers will approach BIRD for help in designing their project with the patient at the forefront.
The panel will sometime review a questionnaire to see if it’s understandable or take part in a workshop. The Patient Research Panel is a remote group who occasionally meet via Zoom. If you’d like to know more please get in touch and email: ppe@birdbath.org.uk


Podcast Listening Volunteers
This group listens to our podcasts before release and helps to guide the content and quality of our podcasts. If you would like to help us with the BIRD podcast library please email: ppe@birdbath.org.uk