Versus Arthritis

Who we are

About us

There are over 10 million people living with arthritis. That’s one in six, with over half of those living in pain every single day. The impact is huge as the condition slowly intrudes on everyday life – affecting the ability to work, care for a family, to move free from pain and to live independently. Yet arthritis is often dismissed as an inevitable part of ageing or shrugged off as ‘just a bit of arthritis’. We don’t think that this is OK. Versus Arthritis is here to change that.
 

As we work towards our ultimate vision – a future free from arthritis – our values of being UNITED, COMPASSIONATE, INCLUSIVE and BRAVE will help us achieve success in everything we do. 
 

Valuing diversity and inclusion

We want diversity and inclusion to be at the heart of everything we do and our research, services and influencing work to reflect the diverse needs of all those living with arthritis. Through our diversity and inclusion strategy, we have made a commitment to increase the diversity of our charity and we welcome candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We want our employees, volunteers and trustees to represent the broad diversity of the communities of which we are a part.  Everyone should feel they can belong to the Versus Arthritis community and feel comfortable and valued in bringing their whole self to our charity. 
 

Disability Confident Employer

We are a Disability Confident Employer with an action plan to become Disability Confident Leaders in the near future and we are members of the Business Disability Forum. 44% of our workforce are disabled or have a long-term health condition and 38% of our workforce have a direct relationship with arthritis, which means they have arthritis or care for someone with arthritis.  We are happy to provide job details, and to accept applications, in alternative formats from applicants who may have specific requirements related to a disability. We guarantee an interview for all disabled applicants who demonstrate, within their application, sufficient evidence to meet the essential criteria for the job.  We will also ensure that any reasonable adjustments are made in respect of interview and working arrangements.
 

Supporting employees to work and live well

We are proud to offer working environments, technology, spaces and practices that foster our ‘Flex’ principles of collaboration, flexibility, inclusion, health and wellbeing and support an effective work/life balance.
 

Safeguarding

Versus Arthritis is committed to keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from harm. During the recruitment process we will undertake safer recruitment practices and relevant checks to ensure applicants are suitable to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
 

Our excellent employee benefits

​- Flexible working hours, locations and practices.
- 34 days annual leave per annum (full-time employees) including public holidays, increasing incrementally to 38 days.
- Optional annual leave buy & sell scheme - up to five days per year.
- Generous personal pension plan - with employer contribution of up to 10%.
- Life assurance (4 x salary).
- Learning and Development programmes.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay and enhanced paternity leave.
- Contribution towards eye tests and prescription glasses/contact lenses.
- Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
- Simplyhealth cash plan.
- Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups.
- Interest free loans. 
- Charity worker discount scheme.
- Free will writing.
- Free annual flu jabs.
- Payroll giving scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Casual dress code.