Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Directory of Services

Aspire’s services provide the practical support that can be needed by those who sustain spinal cord injuries.

The services they offer cover a range of areas and are available to new patients in the NHS Spinal Cord Injury Centres, to those who have just been discharged from hospital and to people who have been living with their injury for years. But whilst they are different in what they do, they all have the same goal – to help take someone from injury to independence.

Practical areas of help include housing, grants, independent living advisers and assistive technology facilities.

T: 020 8954 5759
W: aspire.org.uk

The Aspire Law Emergency Grant Fund provides emergency financial support to those who have recently sustained a spinal cord injury.

T: 0800 030 2040
W: aspirelaw.co.uk
E: help@aspirelaw.co.uk

Attend ABI is a service designed to support adults who have an acquired and non-progressive brain injury. It aims to support individuals to build confidence particularly through the development of new experiences and networks. The service is aimed at clients who have substantially completed their medical rehabilitation but who do not feel ready, or need additional support, to engage meaningfully with their local community.

T: 0207 307 2570
W: abi.attend.org.uk
E: abinavigator@attend.org.uk

Back Up is a charity that helps more than 800 spinal cord injured people per year to regain confidence and active lifestyles.

They operate nationally an outreach team who deliver wheelchair skills training in hospitals and spinal centres. The team also contact people once they return home, offering an understanding ear and practical advice. Back Up residential courses help build confidence, and give access to a supportive network and opportunities to learn life skills that build your independence. The Back Up to Work course and schools advocacy service support people as they find their way back to work and school after injury.

A mentoring service matches people with a spinal cord injury and their family members with someone who has been through the same situation who will be there to listen on a regular basis and help people move forwards with their lives.

T: 020 8875 1805
W: backuptrust.org.uk
E: admin@backuptrust.org.uk

BASIC believes that everyone should have access to high-quality rehabilitation services after suffering from a brain and spinal injury. They offer a range of services that are suitable for severe injuries to minor injuries.

BASIC offers pioneering rehabilitation programmes to those who have suffered from life changing brain and spinal injuries. They provide support and advice to patients, carers and families.

T: 0161 707 6441
W: basiccharity.org.uk
E: enquiries@basiccharity.org.uk

The Brain and Spine Foundation is a detailed information resource for patients and healthcare practitioners.

The Helpline team provides tailored information and specialist support for anyone affected by a neurological problem. People call for many reasons – some people call for practical or emotional support, others have specific clinical queries, and some people just want to talk.

T: 0808 808 1000
W: brainandspine.org.uk
E: helpline@brainandspine.org.uk

Brain Injury is BIG is a support group for people who have loved ones with devastating brain injuries. They may be severely disabled, in a persistent vegetative state, minimally aware/conscious or locked in.

The charity was started by a group of mothers who got to know each other whilst visiting the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in Putney, London. Although there are a number of support networks for brain injured families, they wanted to use their personal experiences to establish a network of families to help each other through a very difficult time.

T: 01483 770999
E: info@braininjuryisbig.org.uk
W: braininjuryisbig.org.uk

Flint House is a charity, entirely funded by donations from those in the police service and their families. Flint House help serving and retired police officers with physical rehabilitation and mental health support.

T: 01491 874499
E: reception@policerehab.co.uk
W: flinthouse.co.uk

The Head Forward Centre (HFC) addresses the problem of social isolation after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) by offering activities which encourage social rehabilitation.

T: 0161 434 2150
E: headforward@tiscali.co.uk
W: headforward.org

Headway is the UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury by providing vital support and information services.

T: 07967 770 772
E: headwayliverpool@outlook.com
W: headway.org.uk/headway-liverpool

QEF is a national charity committed to providing life-transforming services that enable people with disabilities to increase their independence and achieve their goals in life. They work with over 5,000 children and adults every year with physical or learning disabilities or acquired brain injuries. Whether it’s gaining new skills to live independently, rehabilitation after a brain injury or stroke, or improving independence through increased mobility and accessible holidays; QEF helps disabled people to fulfil their potential in life. Based in Banstead, Surrey the centre has capacity for up to seventeen residential clients, each of whom are supported with a personalised treatment plan and 24 hour nursing care. Services are also available on a day and outpatient basis. As well as neurological rehabilitation, they provide independent living, mobility, care and rehabilitation centre and equipment services.

T: 01737 356222
W: qef.org.uk

Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) is a user led charity which offers advice, information and guidance for spinal cord injured (SCI) people. It also provides training to professionals and campaigns for change in policy.

For newly injured people or those being re-admitted to hospital, SIA Spinal Cord Injury Nurses are available to help plan your discharge, care and immediate rehabilitation. They work in partnership with the NHS and will liaise with NHS healthcare practitioners to ensure you receive the best possible service from the NHS.

T: 0800 980 0501
W: spinal.co.uk
E: support@spinal.co.uk

If you are a disabled driver and want to experience a track day, Spinal Track would love to hear from you. They cater for novices driving on a circuit for the first time in an adapted car, up to more experienced drivers wanting tuition or advice with hand control set up.

You simply need to turn up to the track, and they will supply a fully track-prepared Golf GTI with hand controls and an experienced instructor. Spinal Track intends to run the majority of experiences free of charge, but does request a refundable deposit.

W: spinaltrack.org

At The Brain Charity, we champion neurodiversity and help anyone affected by a neurological condition to pick up the pieces so they can rebuild their lives and achieve their potential.

T: 0151 298 2999
W: thebraincharity.org.uk

Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust offers a range of specialist residential, hospital and community based services for individuals with acquired brain injury, delivering high quality rehabilitation and support for people with complex needs across the UK.

As part of The Disabilities Trust and working in partnership with those they support, their families and friends, local authorities, health authorities, housing associations and other organisations, they have an established track record of delivering services that meet the needs of people with complex and challenging disabilities via a national network of rehabilitation and care centres.

T: 0330 058 1881
E: info@thedtgroup.org
W: thedtgroup.org/brain-injury

The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) offers advice, information and guidance for spinal cord injured people. It also provides training to professionals and campaigns for change in policy. For newly injured people or those being re-admitted to hospital, SIA Spinal Cord Injury Nurses are available to help plan your discharge, care and immediate rehabilitation. They work in partnership with the NHS and will liaise with NHS healthcare practitioners to ensure you recieve the best possible service from the NHS.

T: 0800 890 0501
E: adviceline@spinal.co.uk
W: spinal.co.uk/merseyside

The Firefighters charity exists to help all members of the firefighting service to live healthier and happier lives by providing a broad range of health and wellbeing services, online and in person.

T: 0800 389 8820
W: firefighterscharity.org.uk

The Neurological Alliance is the collective voice for 80 organisations working together to make life better for millions of people in England with a neurological condition.

They can give you a list of organisations that provide information and support for, and carry out research into neurological conditions. These organisations aim to inform and advise patients, carers, and other people affected by a neurological condition.

T: 01923 882 590
E: info@neural.org.uk
W: neural.org.uk

The UKABIF have produced a patient directory that includes information about corporate and non-profit members of UKABIF who are care providers, voluntary organisations, case managers and companies providing independent therapy. The directory includes both national and some international services, you can search by the name of the organisation or the region.

W: ukabif.org.uk

Brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves, coming from the spinal cord that supplies the arm, hand and part of the shoulder with all its movement and feeling. Many people need help coming to terms with a Brachial Plexus injury and how to live with it. The website operated by Trauma Brachial Plexus Injury Group (TBPIG) is designed to provide adults with information and support in coping with a TBPI and to help achieve a better understanding of the impact these injuries may have on the individual and their family.

T: 07976 317 529
E: neilrf64@aol.com
W: tbpi-group.org