Charity Commission leadership visits the Royal Osteoporosis Society to mark Trustees’ Week and hear about the charity’s impact

Today (6 November), a delegation from the Charity Commission for England and Wales, including Chief Executive David Holdsworth visited the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) at its headquarters to hear about the charity’s services, advocacy and impact. 

The visit took place during Trustees’ Week and provided an opportunity to meet the charity’s trustees, staff and volunteers, and to learn more about its work improving the lives of more than 3.5 million people in the UK affected by osteoporosis. 

David and his team toured the charity’s offices, meeting members of the team who deliver the ROS’s information and support services, including the specialist nurse Helpline, which answers more than 13,000 enquiries a year, and BoneMed Online, a new digital service helping people take their osteoporosis medicines safely and effectively.   

They also heard how the charity’s expanding suite of health information has driven a sharp rise in engagement, with the number of unique visitors to the ROS website doubling over the past three years. 

David met volunteers to hear their personal experiences of living with osteoporosis, and the difficulties many faced in getting a timely diagnosis – two-thirds of people living with osteoporosis are missing out on treatment due to the lack of diagnosis. Their stories reflected the importance of early identification and support, and the difference the charity’s services and advocacy make in helping people manage the condition and rebuild confidence. 

He also spoke with trustees about the ROS’s governance and its approach to advocacy and campaigning, including last year’s landmark government commitment to end the postcode lottery for early diagnosis services for osteoporosis by 2030.  

Craig Jones, Chief Executive of the ROS, said: 

“We were delighted to welcome David during Trustees’ Week. It was an opportunity to showcase how our trustees, volunteers and staff work together to improve the lives of people with osteoporosis, and to demonstrate the vital role good governance plays in ensuring impact and trust.  

“The Charity Commission’s visit comes at a time when awareness of bone health has never been higher. With more than 500,000 people using our risk checker and tens of thousands gaining an early diagnosis, it was a chance to reflect on how evidence, partnership and strong governance combine to deliver public benefit.”