Welcome to PsA HQ! I'm your host Mel, and I'm passionate about fostering peer support within the Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriasis and broader autoimmune and inflammatory conditions community. This channel is a space for sharing experiences and I believe in the power of discussion and knowledge sharing. Join me and my guests sharing lived experience, bridging communication gaps and helping to create an impactful research landscape. Remember, all opinions are our own or those of our guests. Always seek proper medical advice. Thank you for listening.
Voices Making a Difference with: Ailsa Bosworth, MBE and founder of NRAS
Hello and Welcome to PsA HQ Podcasts - I’m Mel Brooke, and I am hosting a podcast mini-series called “Voices Making a Difference”, highlighting people who have used their musculoskeletal or chronic condition experiences to drive positive change - whether through advocacy, research, writing, or community support.
In this episode, I’m joined by Ailsa Bosworth, MBE and founder of National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS). We talk about her experience of severe rheumatoid arthritis and fighting to access treatment, to starting an organisation from a blank sheet of paper and discovering the power of peer support. We also discuss what has changed in patient advocacy over the past 25 years, what still hasn't changed, and the people patient organisations may still struggle to reach.
Please tune in again, follow this channel and help celebrate Ailsa and all the other amazing people in this series – all making a difference to people with MSK.
Lived experience doesn’t just tell a story - it can drive real change.
Link:
Website: https://creators.spotify.com/nras.org.uk
If you would like to share your experience or think of someone who would be a great fit for this series please get in touch.
My website and contacts can be found via one of my links here and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!
Disclaimer
This episode reflects personal experiences, opinions and discussion. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak to a healthcare professional for individual guidance.
*Music by Alex Morgan from Pixabay*
21 Jul 2026
Voices Making A Difference: Dr Catherine O’Leary ‘Coping with Psoriasis'
Hello and Welcome to PsA HQ Podcasts - I’m Mel Brooke, and I am hosting a podcast mini-series called “Voices Making a Difference”, highlighting people who have used their musculoskeletal or chronic condition experiences to drive positive change - whether through advocacy, research, writing, or community support.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Catherine O’Leary, a Clinical Psychologist and author living with Psoriasis. We talk about what it’s like to grow up with Psoriasis, deal with the emotional and psychological impacts and stigmas. We also talk about coping strategies, her motivation for writing the book 'Coping with Psoriasis' and why she felt raising awareness of the invisible burdens of Psoriasis is so important.
Please tune in again, follow this channel and help celebrate Catherine and all the other amazing people in this series – all making a difference to people with MSK.
Lived experience doesn’t just tell a story - it can drive real change.
Links:
Website: https://copingwithpsoriasis.com (https://copingwithpsoriasis.com/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcatherineoleary/ (https://www.instagram.com/drcatherineoleary/)
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@catherineoleary3517 (https://www.youtube.com/@catherineoleary3517)
If you would like to share your experience or think of someone who would be a great fit for this series please get in touch.
My website and contacts can be found via one of my links here (https://linktr.ee/PsA_HQ) and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!
Disclaimer
This episode reflects personal experiences, opinions and discussion. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak to a healthcare professional for individual guidance.
*Music by Alex Morgan from Pixabay*
24 Jun 2026
Voices Making A Difference: David Chandler, PAPAA
Hello and Welcome to PsA HQ Podcasts - I’m Mel Brooke, and I am hosting a podcast mini-series called “Voices Making a Difference”, highlighting people who have used their musculoskeletal or chronic condition experiences to drive positive change - whether through advocacy, research, writing, or community support.
In this episode, I’m joined by David Chandler of The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA for short ). Many people will have heard of PAPAA, fewer will know the personal story behind how it began. As we chat, David reflects on living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the frustration of finding almost no information after diagnosis, and how a simple search for answers along with his wife Julie unexpectedly grew into a national patient organisation that has helped thousands of people over three decades!
Please tune in again, follow this channel and help celebrate David and all the other amazing people in this series – all making a difference to people with MSK.
Lived experience doesn’t just tell a story - it can drive real change.
PAPAA can be found here: https://www.papaa.org (https://www.papaa.org/)
If you would like to share your experience or think of someone who would be a great fit for this series please get in touch.
My website and contacts can be found via one of my links here and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!
Disclaimer
This episode reflects personal experiences, opinions and discussion. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak to a healthcare professional for individual guidance.
*Music by Yevhen Onoychenko from Pixabay*
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
12
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
27
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