Association for Spinal Injury Research, Rehabilitation and Reintegration

Aspire works with people with spinal cord injuries to create opportunity, choice and independence.

There are more than 40,000 people in Britain living with spinal cord injuries. A further 1200 people are injured each year - more than three every day. Most are fit, active and aged between 15-35 years. It can happen to anyone at anytime and there is no time to prepare.

Aspire exists because currently there is no cure for spinal cord injury. Aspire provides practical support to people with spinal cord injuries to help them lead full and independent lives.

Aspire’s services include:

Aspire Housing: Our Housing Programme provides fully accessible properties around the UK that can be used on a short-term basis whilst someone is adapting their own property or hunting for a permanent home.

Aspire Independent Living Advisors: The Aspire Independent Living Advisors work in the Spinal Cord Injury Centres, providing advice and guidance to the patients and ensuring they get the support and services they need.

Assistive Technology: Aspire's Assistive Technology facilities in the Spinal Centres ensure that everyone, regardless of the level of their injury, has independent access to a computer.

Aspire Grants: Aspire Grants gives funds to people to help them buy the specialist equipment they need to live a more independent life.

Campaigning: Our campaigning work harnesses the skills and knowledge that comes from working with so many people with spinal injuries and advocates for positive change and improvement.

The facilities at the Aspire National Training Centre include:

• The centre offers a fully integrated heated swimming pool - the first of its kind in Europe.
• A fully integrated fitness studio for disabled and non-disabled people with qualified instructors.
• A sports hall where a number of sports and exercise classes take place.
• Internet Café.
• Dance Studio. The integrated dance company CanDoCo uses this facility regularly for rehearsals. The studio is also used for exercise classes.

Inpatients at the RNOH are welcome to use the facilities of the ASPIRE National Training Centre free of charge. After discharge patients who are registered disabled can receive both reduced membership tariffs and reduced admission prices.

To find out more about Aspire or to make a donation please contact:

Aspire National Training Centre, Wood Lane, Stanmore HA7 4AP

Telephone: 020 8954 5759 Email: info@aspire.org.uk - www.aspire.org.uk
Charity No: 1075317