Peer Support
Spinal Injuries Association
Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) is a national user-led spinal cord injuries charity.
SIA’s Support Network Coordinators visit the Centre fortnightly to offer practical advice and face-to-face support to newly injured people and their families on all aspects of SCI. They also provide life-long support post-discharge in the community. SIA’s Support Network Coordinators all have a SCI so can talk from personal experience.
SIA also arrange Vocational Clinics in the Centre to provide advice to people with a SCI who want to get back to work, school or college. SIA offer support, advice and information through their free Advice Line:
• 0800 980 0501
• www.spinal.co.uk
The Support Network Coordinator for the East Midlands covers the Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre and can be contacted on 01908 208 538
Aspire
Aspire is a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury.
An Independent Living Advisor from Aspire visits the Centre most Thursdays to provide practical advice to patients about living with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Aspire’s Assistive Technology Advisors run weekly sessions in the Occupational Therapy department where they provide instruction on how to use assistive technology devices and voice directed software.
For more information about the services provided by Aspire, ask your Occupational Therapist or contact Aspire on:
• 020 8420 6731 Independent Living
• 020 8420 6732 Assistive Technology
• www.aspire.org.uk
Back Up Trust
Back Up Trust is a national charity and campaign group that supports people with a Spinal Cord Injury.
Back Up visit the Centre every six weeks to deliver Wheelchair Skills training to people new to using a wheelchair, and the ‘Wheelchair Skills Extra’ trip into the city centre to practise the skills.
Back Up provide many services, all led by people with SCI, including mentoring for people with SCI and their family members, residential courses, and support going back to work, school or college. Visit their website to find out more.
For information on Back Up’s services within the Centre, ask your Occupational Therapist or contact Back Up’s Outreach & Support Team on:
• 020 8875 1805
• www.backuptrust.org.uk
Wheelpower
WheelPower is a national charity that provides opportunities for disabled people to get into sport and lead active lives.
A Physical Activity Advisor from WheelPower visits the Centre weekly to speak with patients and assists with the Physiotherapy team’s sports session.
They provide an advisory service on sport or other physical activity and supports the provision of sport activity for patients within the Centre.
They also provide general information and advice on sport, physical activity, keeping active and being healthy after discharge from hospital.
Contact WheelPower on:
• 01296 395 995 or info@wheelpower.org.uk
• www.wheelpower.org.uk
Peer Support, Services and Activities for Inpatients at PRSCIC
Peer support, services and activities for inpatients leaflet https://publicdocuments.sth.nhs.uk/pil4244.pdf