Community Guidelines — Moore Than Arthritis

Moore Than Arthritis was built on the belief that no one should face arthritis alone. Our community is a place of compassion, honesty, and mutual support. These guidelines reflect those values and apply to all members across our website, forums, social media channels, and events.

By participating in our community, you agree to uphold these guidelines.

Treat every member with dignity and respect. We are a diverse community of people at different stages of their arthritis journey — some newly diagnosed, some living with the condition for decades, some supporting a loved one.

• Use supportive, compassionate language
• Disagree respectfully — challenge ideas, not people
• Be patient with members who are struggling
• Celebrate others' wins, however small

We have a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, or hate speech of any kind. This includes — but is not limited to — discrimination based on age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. Any member found to be engaging in discriminatory behaviour will be removed from the community immediately.

Respect the privacy of all community members:

• Do not share another member's personal information without their consent
• Do not screenshot or share private conversations
• Be mindful that what you share about yourself is visible to others
• Do not ask members for personal contact details in public spaces

You are welcome to share your personal experiences with treatments, medications, and lifestyle changes. However, please do not present your experiences as medical advice or recommendations for others.

Always encourage members to consult their healthcare team. Please refer to our Medical Disclaimer for full details.

Our community is not a marketplace. The following are not permitted:

• Promoting products, services, or businesses for commercial gain
• Posting affiliate links or referral codes
• Recruiting members for multi-level marketing schemes
• Repeatedly posting the same content (spam)

Sharing genuinely helpful resources (such as NHS pages or charity websites) is welcome.

Please do not share unverified health claims, conspiracy theories, or misinformation about arthritis, treatments, or the healthcare system. If you are unsure whether something is accurate, please check with a trusted source (such as the NHS or Versus Arthritis) before sharing.

Some topics — including mental health, suicidal thoughts, and substance use — require particular care. When discussing these topics:

• Use content warnings where appropriate
• Signpost professional support resources
• Do not provide detailed information that could cause harm

If you are in crisis, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7).

If you see content or behaviour that violates these guidelines, please report it to us at [email protected]. We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly. Reports are treated confidentially.

Violations of these guidelines may result in:

• A warning from a moderator
• Removal of the offending content
• Temporary suspension from the community
• Permanent removal from the community

The action taken will depend on the severity and nature of the violation. In cases involving illegal activity, we may report the matter to the relevant authorities.

We may update these guidelines as our community grows. We will notify members of significant changes. Your continued participation in the community constitutes acceptance of the updated guidelines.