Bone Abstracts

Background: Osteoporosis affects over 3.5 million people in the UK, yet many remain isolated following diagnosis. Men, younger adults, and those from deprived or non-white communities can face particular barriers to peer-support. Osteoporosis Connect is a Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) programme, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, to develop and test new peer-support models across different underserved communities.

Aim: To describe the development of the Osteoporosis Connect programme and report early findings on reach and outcomes.

Methods: Launched in January 2024, Osteoporosis Connect has developed four peer-support models: (1) a new online community; (2) monthly online networks for men and younger adults under 50; (3) support groups in areas of deprivation in Salford and Sheffield; and (4) awareness-raising and peer-support development within a Muslim community in Birmingham. Development has prioritised engagement with people with osteoporosis, including a group to develop the online community, co-production processes for the online networks and ROS Lead Volunteer Advocates supporting local work.

Results: Full independent evaluation is due end of May 2026. Nonetheless, the online community has grown since December 2025 to 860 members with over 72,000 page views. Interim outcome data indicates: 75% of members report improved knowledge of managing their osteoporosis, 83% feel better connected with others. Satisfaction with the online networks is also high, with 98% of respondents saying they would attend a men’s session again. We have held 20 support group meetings in areas of deprivation with 120 attendees, receiving positive feedback. Awareness-raising in Birmingham has reached 150 people, with 94% reporting improved understanding of osteoporosis.

Conclusion: Osteoporosis Connect demonstrates that peer support can help people with osteoporosis feel less alone, manage their condition and live better. Early findings support the value of strong user involvement and population-specific models of peer support, alongside general offers. People from specific groups, like men and younger adults, value connecting with peers who share their experience, not only in general groups where they can feel like a minority. This underscores the importance of understanding "peer" not simply as individuals having the same diagnosis, but when lived experiences and demographic characteristics align closely enough to foster authentic connection.