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Charity of the year

Could you nominate NRAS as Charity of the Year at your company or organisation?
Read about our successful partnerships below.

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Premier Care in Bathing

Premier Care in Bathing and NRAS have partnered for a shared cause

Premier Care in Bathing believe that independence, dignity, and safety should never be compromised, especially in the most personal space of all, the bathroom. For over 30 years, they’ve specialised in creating bathrooms tailored to the unique needs of the elderly and those living with conditions like arthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s and mobility impairments.

Peter Whittall, Marketing Manager of Premier Care in Bathing, explains why they chose to partner with NRAS:

“Our mission has always been to provide practical solutions that restore confidence and ease into everyday routines. That’s why our partnership with the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) feels not just natural, but essential.

“We’re proud to support NRAS, and we were delighted to welcome Helen and Peter from the charity to our headquarters recently. Their visit offered a wonderful opportunity to give them a first-hand look at how we operate, from our customer service process and design consultations to how our team ensures every bathroom is built with care, safety, and dignity in mind.

“Helen and Peter toured our facility and spent time with different departments, gaining insights into how we manage customer needs from the first phone call to the final installation. They met with our design consultants, who are trained to understand both the physical challenges and emotional needs of customers living with inflammatory arthritis. They also saw how we trial different products to ensure that each component, from easy-access showers and walk-in baths to supportive grab rails and temperature-controlled thermostats offers both comfort and usability.

“Many of our customers are living with RA or other forms of arthritis. Tasks that most of us take for granted, like stepping into a bathtub, turning on a tap, or standing for a prolonged shower, can become painful and dangerous. That’s where our mobility bathrooms come in. With features like low-threshold shower trays, thermostatically controlled water systems, non-slip flooring, fold­-down seating, and easy-grip handles, we tailor every installation to make bathing a safer, more comfortable experience.

“Our partnership with NRAS helps raise awareness of these challenges while highlighting solutions that can truly make a difference. We’re proud to help fund their vital work, and
we’re equally proud to share their message with our own customer base. By collaborating, we amplify each other’s missions to improve quality of life, to support those facing daily physical challenges, and to champion practical changes that can restore independence at home.

“We look forward to building on this partnership and finding new ways to support NRAS and the people they serve. As we continue to innovate in the world of accessible bathroom design, we know that charities like NRAS play an invaluable role in educating, advocating, and supporting people living with RA. Together, we can make life a little easier, one bathroom at a time.

“Their visit was more than a courtesy call; it was a meeting of minds. We both work with people dealing with pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and the emotional toll that can accompany long-term health conditions. For NRAS, it’s about support, information, and campaigning for better services. For Premier Care, it’s about creating environments
that make daily life less stressful and more manageable.“

QBE Foundation

QBE Foundation Nomination and Award £50,000 for NRAS from QBE European Operations Foundation 

“Your charity has been nominated by one of our staff at QBE Insurance and we’re very pleased to tell you that you have been chosen and will be receiving £50,000.”  

On Friday 26th July 2019 at 4.30 pm Helen Saich (Senior Trust & Company Giving Fundraiser at NRAS) took a call from the QBE Foundation Chairman with the wonderful news that the QBE Foundation (the charitable arm of QBE Business Insurance) had awarded NRAS £50,000. This grant will help NRAS make a difference and continue to deliver our services to all those who need our help.  

We were so lucky to have been nominated by QBE employee, Jess Swallow, whose mother and grandmother are RA sufferers. There were a large number of nominations from QBE staff across the UK and Europe and luckily for NRAS, Jess’s story from the heart, moved the judges and we were thrilled to receive the funds on 16th August 2019.  

We would like to share the nomination written by Jess below: 

 “My grandmother developed rheumatoid arthritis when she was aged 50. As with many diseases, one of the main factors that causes RA is stress, and when my grandmother was diagnosed, she was looking after my grandfather 24/7, who had suffered from a stroke and soon after passed away. Growing up, she tried where possible to look after us when my mum needed a babysitter, however due to her lack of mobility as the RA became more debilitating and things such as driving, picking us up, mowing the lawn, etc had to stop – this became hard. Watching her joints flare up and become misshapen over the years, and then watching her toes fold over so she is unable to walk properly is hard – we want to help her, but other than the many drugs she is on (which they never seem to be able to get right to suit her) which then causes other problems, I feel useless. Despite this, she never moans to us and also greets us with a hug and a huge smile. RA is also hereditary, and my mother was diagnosed 10 years ago – I want to do everything I can to prevent mum’s RA following the same pattern as Nan’s…we do everything we can; remaining active where possible, practising yoga and eating a healthy and nutritious diet. She loves gardening and I really hope she can continue gardening for a very long time. It is hard to watch as those you love most struggle with this degenerative disease and I want to do everything I can to protect them, and others that it affects daily. I don’t feel as many people know about RA, and so it is unlikely people would donate to their charity. I want to spread this awareness and help boost the morale of those with the disease. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for funding.”  

Jess, her mum and nan came to visit us at our offices in Maidenhead in November 2019. It was so lovely to meet them and find out more about their experiences of RA and the time together just flew by. We are delighted that we are going to be working with Jess as she is very keen to help us raise awareness of RA and what it means to cope daily with this disease and the impact on the whole family.  

Thank you Jess. 

To speak to us about a Charity Partnership, contact us at fundraising@nras.org.uk or call 01628 823 524.