Spinal Injuries Association

The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) is the leading national user-led charity for spinal cord injured (SCI) people. Being a user led, we are well placed to understand the everyday needs of living with spinal cord injury and are here to meet those needs by providing key services to share information and experiences, and to campaign for change ensuring each person can lead a full and active life. We are here to support you from the moment your spinal cord injury happens, and for the rest of your life.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to support all those affected by spinal cord injury by advising, educating and campaigning on their behalf.

Our Vision:

Our vision is that all spinal cord injured people receive the specialist treatment, care, rehabilitation and support they need to be fully integrated and empowered participants in society.

Our Values:

We will:

Work together in an environment built on RESPECT and mutual support.
Always be USER LED in our decision making and development
EMPOWER SCI people as the experts in managing their lives
Be COMMITTED to the ever changing needs of SCI people by campaigning for the best treatment and care
CHALLENGE perceptions and behaviours towards SCI, ensuring a moreINCLUSIVE society
Have INTEGRITY in our work, collaborating with others where a greater impact can be achieved

Living with SCI

The impact of spinal cord injury is life changing. Initially you may have lots of questions you want answered, and medical dialect to understand. Our useful FAQs and A – Z of Medical terms can help you , and your family, as you piece together the information and come to terms with your injury.

As time goes by, we have a selection of publications , factsheets and guides that can assist you as you rehabilitate and rebuild your life. You will find the Moving ForwardSeries particularly useful, a set of 18 booklets, which can be bought as a pack or individually. Each booklet is expertly written and loaded with relevant information for those living with SCI.

Our flagship publication: forward magazine is produced bimonthly and includes up-to-date information from the SCI community, topical features, along with many interesting contributions from SIA members. The latest edition can be bought in theSIA Shop or receive forward magazine throughout the year when you become an SIA member.

Join our awareness campaign as we highlight the causes and impact of SCI during SCI Awareness day. This year the SCI Awareness day takes place on 17 May. Watch our awareness film here to find out more about the causes, impact and how we can help as you rebuild you life with injury.

Campaigning and Public Affairs

SIA’s Public Affairs team was formed in 2005, thanks to funding secured from Comic Relief. Since then the team has focused on raising the profile of the concerns and issues of the SCI community with the policy makers.

Since their formation the Public Affairs team have focused on it’s ‘Preserving and improving the national SCI service’ campaign and the Welfare Reform bill, which involved working alongside other disabilities charities to respond to the government green paper. More recently the team have focused on raising awareness of SCI in general hospitals.

FAQ about Spinal Injuries