Young Women's Arthritis Support Group (YWASG)

Young Women's Arthritis Support Group (YWASG) YWASG is an Australian non-profit support group for women of all ages with any form of arthritis. We What counts is what works for you. Thank you,

The YWASG team

Young Women's Arthritis Support Group (YWASG) was formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1996 as a means for women of working age (approx 17 to 60) to contact others and exchange support and ideas for coping with the many forms of arthritis and also fibromyalgia. YWASG is a non-profit community organisation run entirely by volunteers. We hold regular face-to-face meetings in Victoria (Australia) at Amaroo Neighbourhood Centre in Chadstone and at various cafes around Melbourne and in Bendigo throughout the year. We also run regular online meetings for women with arthritis from Victoria or interstate. See our events page for full details of all our upcoming meetings and social meetups. You can also sign up for our enewsletter to get our latest news and event updates straight to your inbox. Posting and commenting on this page:

We aim to provide you with a wide range of information about the many forms of arthritis and related conditions (including fibromyalgia). We do not offer advice or endorse all the information we share. We also avoid sharing information that has little scientific merit. In keeping with the YWASG goal of providing a warm and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing their health issues, we ask that you please keep the following points in mind whenever you post or comment on our page. Please refrain from giving specific personal or medical advice and allow everyone an equal opportunity to share their insights, feelings and experiences. While constructive comments are encouraged, anything considered offensive or derogatory will be deleted. We ask that you acknowledge that everyone’s experiences are different and that you show respect to one another. For example, if you had a negative experience with a medication or treatment, you are welcome to discuss your own situation, but please do not tell others that they ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ use specific medications or treatments. It is difficult enough for each of us to make decisions about our health without being told by others within the arthritis community that we are doing the ‘wrong’ thing. Advertising on this page:

YWASG has a blanket ban on all commercial advertising on our page. Please understand that we get requests like this very often and if we started saying yes to people it would simply become unmanageable plus it would put people off joining our group. As individuals, most of us get bombarded with all sorts of health advice from well-meaning family and friends to the point where it can become extremely frustrating. While some of the tips and products may have merit, others are pure hype so many of us prefer to explore our own options in our own way. If you advertise a service or product or repeatedly post unhelpful comments as your business page, your post will be deleted, and you may be banned from this page. We do, however, sometimes advertise free events, services, information or surveys from commercial organisations if we believe they are in keeping with our values. If you have something you would like to share with us and are unsure if it meets our criteria, please do us the courtesy of sending us a private message and asking us first.

Do you have experience with the transition of care from youth to adulthood in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) (or kn...
26/09/2025

Do you have experience with the transition of care from youth to adulthood in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) (or know someone who does)?

Alana is a third-year medical student at the University of Sydney. She and some of her colleagues are basing their final major research project on this topic, and they would love your insights to help them better understand the lived experiences of young people with JIA and their families.

They have created a survey that will help them learn about the challenges and needs faced before and after this healthcare transition, and may help inform future improvements in care.

If you would like to help Alana and her colleagues out, please follow the link to their short survey and complete it online. Thanks.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuFzchmdqpatH3b5h4KaFd94MGEUI2EzduV5VdvJBSyYvtUg/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawNBpwBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5bWJkektjYjFydFREdGZSAR63m0QBnULJr7Yn4pBjQTiJzPptlPtruXVpcD0aZwijfSumcRmh6_NpbiW2YQ_aem_uvRT2jBHaz02Nb4qmsasVA

This online survey for a USYD Medical Science capstone project aims to explore the experiences of patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and their lived experience of transitioning from youth to adult care. By proceeding with this survey, you give your consent for your anonymised answers....

21/09/2025
21/09/2025

Some things haven’t changed… but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t.

For decades, treatment for Sjögren’s disease has focused on managing symptoms like protecting the eyes and mouth, reducing discomfort, and addressing complications as they arise. In many ways, the care today is similar to the care given to the very first patients diagnosed in Australia.

But living with Sjögren’s isn’t just about managing symptoms, it’s about hope for better treatments, more research, and ultimately, a cure. That’s why Sjögren’s Australia is dedicated to driving progress: funding research, supporting clinical trials, and giving patients a platform to share their stories and be heard.

We believe the journey of every person with Sjögren’s matters, and that together, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible. Treatment may have been the same in the past, but with collaboration, advocacy, and research, the future can (and must) be different.

Join us in advancing care and awareness.
www.sjogrensaustralia.com.au

The Spice Girls get it.
19/09/2025

The Spice Girls get it.

16/09/2025

RA Awareness Week is a chance to build more understanding around rheumatoid arthritis. RA is an autoimmune condition that can affect not only the joints, but also energy, mobility, and day-to-day life. At BJC Health, we know that the right mix of treatment, movement, and support can make a real difference. For those wanting to learn more at their own pace, we’ve created a self-paced RA module with practical information and strategies you can return to anytime. Explore it here: https://www.bjchealth.com.au/ra-landing

Australians deserve a healthcare system that is transparent, affordable, and equitable. Yet, rising out-of-pocket costs ...
10/09/2025

Australians deserve a healthcare system that is transparent, affordable, and equitable. Yet, rising out-of-pocket costs are placing an unbearable burden on patients and their families, forcing many to delay or avoid essential care.

Patients Australia is running a Specialists Costs Campaign, which you can sign via their website. You also have the option to share your story with them.

https://www.patients.org.au/our-work/out-of-pocket-costs-campaign

Australian Patients Association

Learn about Patients Australia’s campaign to tackle high out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Discover resources, patient stories, and how we’re advocating for more affordable care.

26/08/2025

Learn more about the myths of osteoarthritis and tips for managing it in this webinar from The Arthritis Movement.

https://www.facebook.com/arthritisaustralia/posts/pfbid0s55PfHj59W7Ybyt66fvvjyjHcuS7pafAaovWrfw9HvYG25vaRUmpD4RSB9FgYcEN...
20/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/arthritisaustralia/posts/pfbid0s55PfHj59W7Ybyt66fvvjyjHcuS7pafAaovWrfw9HvYG25vaRUmpD4RSB9FgYcENl

As part of Arthritis Australia’s 75th anniversary celebrations, we are inviting expressions of interest from Australians living with arthritis to share their stories in our media opportunities.

This milestone year is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on your story - raising awareness about the impact of arthritis, that it's not just an older person's condition and helping influence decision-makers to create a better future.

Possible media interviews will take place from Monday 25th August to Friday, 5 September 2025.

How to get involved:
👉If this opportunity inspires you and you live in metro Sydney, Melbourne, or Canberra, please email info@arthritisaustralia.com.au introducing yourself. Include your name, age, where you live, a little about your experience living with arthritis, and that you're happy to be contacted by our media partner.

This is a unique opportunity to share your story, highlight the realities of living with arthritis, and contribute to a stronger public conversation.

19/08/2025

Hi folks,

Vicky is looking for recommendations for an exercise physiologist in the East Melbourne area. She is looking for someone with a good understanding of rheumatoid arthritis and will appreciate any suggestions. Please help her out if you can.

Address

C/o 34 Amaroo Street
Melbourne, VIC
3148

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Our Story and Page Guidelines

Young Women's Arthritis Support Group (YWASG) was formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1996 as a means for women of working age (approx 17 to 60) to contact others and exchange support and ideas for coping with the many forms of arthritis and also fibromyalgia.

Members enjoy monthly meetings where they can converse, borrow books and living aids from the library and hear guest speakers such as health professionals. As well as meetings, YWASG has an active Facebook community, a monthly social meetup in Bendigo and several social meetups around Melbourne (see our events page for updates), occasional weekend information sessions, free membership, and a free monthly enewsletter for members.

Posting and commenting on this page:

The Young Women’s Arthritis Support Group is a non-profit community organisation run entirely by volunteers. We aim to provide you with a wide range of information about the many forms of arthritis and related conditions (including fibromyalgia). We do not offer advice or endorse all the information we share. We also avoid sharing information that has little scientific merit.