WHO
WE ARE
Patient-led. Person-centred.
MEET THE
BOARD.
Founder and Chair
Joel Nelson
Lives with Psoriatic-associated Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Chronic Pain.
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​An award-winning patient advocate, Joel shares his lived experience with psoriatic disease, pain and associated mental health challenges to educate whilst helping others feel less alone.
Telling his story on stages around the world, he also hosts a podcast and talk show, where he facilitates conversations to help others share theirs. Through his candid approach, he is building a growing global community of peer support and awareness for both those living with chronic conditions and those who support them.
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Joel is also a manager and Peer Leader in the NHS.
Secretary and Founding Trustee
Anita Nelson
​Caregiver for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
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A committed NHS healthcare professional for over 10 years, Anita is passionate about shared decision-making and caregivers. She works tirelessly to ensure that we include those 'around the patient' in everything that we do.
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Affectionately referred to as 'Mumma Mod' in the community, Anita can often be found doing the unseen side of our patient support work, keeping people safe on our social media and community spaces.
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She keeps Joel and his big ideas in check.​​​​​
Founding Trustee
Craig Young
Lives with Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriasis, IBS and Chronic Pain.
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Craig shares his story and educates people in the workplace about psoriatic disease and how it impacts work and ordinary life.
Craig's profession is digital marketing, but he also comes from a sports science background, so he is a big advocate for exercise and its ability to improve physical and mental health.​​​​​​​
Founding Trustee
Matthew Mayers
Lives with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain.
Matthew developed ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia at the age of 14 after a viral illness. He has little recollection of the first four years, most of it spent in a medication-induced stupor. Now, pain medication-free, he is still learning to live with fatigue, pain, and depression and develop strategies to achieve as normal a life as possible.
As a young person struggling with a debilitating illness, Matthew has faced the stigma of chronic pain and invisible illness and the isolation that often comes with it. He uses computer gaming not only to distract from his pain but also to make connections and escape the loneliness of chronic illness. This approach to managing his pain has not only helped him but also helped others, creating a peer support network for those involved.
Today, Matthew proudly runs support groups and raises awareness for chronic pain.​​
Founding Trustee
Aidan Davies
Lives with Psoriasis and Enthesitis Related Arthritis.
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Aidan began showing symptoms of both arthritis and psoriasis around the age of 9, which were both undiagnosed and untreated until a bad flare up at 13 left him with joint damage and on crutches for 6 months. This led to a diagnosis of arthritis, and a prescription for biologics. It would take another 5 years for him to be diagnosed with psoriasis.
Like many with chronic illnesses, he has struggled with the isolation of being unwell and has always used online socialisation to combat this. Since 2021 Aidan has been a member of Joel’s Peer support community and has seen the benefits that staying social with chronic illness has on both mental and physical health. As such he is a passionate believer in having these spaces available for people who struggle to be social elsewhere.
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