Coventry 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Headway is a UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury. They have a network of more than 125 groups and branches across the UK that provide support, services and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers, as well as to health professionals.
At Headway you will find a free telephone helpline, comprehensive website, 125 local user groups, rehabilitation services, an emergency fund to help with the immediate financial implications of a brain injury and a directory of residential care and rehabilitation services.
T: 0808 800 2244
W: headway.org.uk
People in Action provides support for people with acquired brain injuries, which have resulted in physical, cognitive and behavioural impairments. This support is available both within a residential setting or the individual’s own home. All their services provide a person-centred approach to develop flexible support, tailored to the individual’s needs. They provide just the right amount and type of support that is required, to enable individuals to maximize their potential for independence. People in Action also runs a community gardens project in Bedworth.
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: sia@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.
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.
The Silverlining Charity supports adults who have sustained a brain injury, their family members and their carers. Their services are also open to professionals and volunteers who are keen to learn, support and get involved. They understand the effects of brain injury and so create activities, events and environments that are inclusive and look to enable all.
The services are designed to offer the clinical benefits of continued and collaborative physical and cognitive rehabilitation in a community setting where Silverlining members are able to develop a sense of purpose, pride and direction after. The charity runs a wide range of different fun social activities and services across local groups where brain injury survivors can come together to share and learn from each other. All activities are designed to be suitable and open to everyone, and they are offered to our members either free of charge or at cost price.