The UK’s Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children (EATC4Children) hosted an extremely successful showcase event on Saturday, 22 March 2025, at Alder Hey’s Institute in the Park.
As the UK’s first and only EATC dedicated to tackling childhood inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and other autoimmune, autoinflammatory conditions, the EATC4Children is part of a pioneering consortium that includes clinical, academic, industrial, charity and patient partners. The Centre focuses on translating cutting-edge biomedical research - ranging from early laboratory studies to clinical trials - into effective treatments for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and many other related inflammatory and musculoskeletal disorders.
The showcase provided a fantastic opportunity to highlight some of the centre’s latest research and developments, through talks, panel sessions, round-table discussions and exhibition stands. It also provided the chance to identify potential new collaborative projects with organisations and charities.
The day was opened with an inspiring welcome from an esteemed group of speakers. Professor Michael Beresford, the Centre’s Director welcomed everyone and gave an overview of the work of the Centre; Professor Clare Pain, an Associate Director and Clinical Lead from Alder Hey noted the fundamental importance of the centre listening always to the voice of young people as we seek to improve our care for them and their well-being. Professor Dan Hawcutt, Alder Hey’s Director of Research welcomed everyone on behalf of the Trust, whilst Deborah Alsina, the CEO of Versus Arthritis and a key funder for the EATC4Children emphasised how central to their goals was the work carried out by the centre. Most importantly, Jessica Finley, a young person with lupus who has been actively involved in research with the Centre represented the voice of the majority of those present, the young people and children, who are at the heart of all the Centre seeks to achieve.
The day also featured talks, and exhibition stands from EATC4Children team, who provided insights into key projects such as STAR-JIA, a study comparing the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of intravenous and oral corticosteroid starting doses for JIA patients. Many of the stands had practical activities for all to do, including improving their laboratory skills and looking down a microscope, learning how to randomise patients in a clinical trial, and the unique opportunity to view their own nailbeds with the help of a small device called the DinoLite, an innovative tool currently being used in several of the Centre’s studies.
EATC4Children staff also provided laboratory tours, giving a fascinating and rarely seen look at their equipment and the types of research they produce.
The event also brought together representatives from 10 charities including Versus Arthritis, LUPUS UK, FAIR, Behcet's UK, CCAA Kids with Arthritis, LifeArc, Myositis UK, RAiISE, SRUK, and Vasculitis UK. Each charity has a huge impact through supporting children, young people and their families. Through the panel discussions and exhibition stands, they highlighted how they each collaborate with the EATC4Children and the fantastic support they see the Centre providing to young patients and their families living with rheumatic and related conditions.
The Showcase Event emphasised the importance of keeping young people’s voices at the heart of all our conversations, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping the future work of the Centre. It was a day full of collaboration, learning, and meaningful connections, providing a valuable opportunity for all stakeholders - especially our children, young people and their families - to come together and share insights on how we can contribute to the future and sustainability of the EATC4Children.
Watch this animation from the award-winning, Liverpool-based artist Mistermunro, which encapsulates the day:
Professor Michael Beresford, Centre Director commented on a successful and positive day,
Our 2025 Showcase Event has been a tremendous success, celebrating all that we’ve achieved since we started in 2014, with the support of Versus Arthritis and so many charities that come together with us to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people, and their families, with inflammatory and related autoimmune conditions. Their voice remains at the heart of all we do, as we find inventive solutions and innovative solutions that inspire action and spark new ideas for our research, whilst continuing to strengthen our working together.