Annual Review 2013

Brain and Spine Foundation The Foundation provides support and information to those affected by the many conditions associated with the brain and spine. The charity relies heavily on voluntary donations and fundraising events to provide the services which help many thousands of people across the UK every year.

You can help the work of the Brain and Spine Foundation by: • Making a donation • Organising or taking part in a fundraising event • Offering your time as a volunteer • Remembering the Brain and Spine Foundation in your will Further details available from the address/telephone number below or from www.brainandspine.org.uk.

Brain and Spine Foundation 3.36 Canterbury Court, Kennington Park 1-3 Brixton Road London SW9 6DE Telephone 020 7793 5900 Email info@brainandspine.org.uk Brain and Spine Helpline 0808 808 1000 www.brainandspine.org.uk Registered Charity (England & Wales) 1098528 A company limited by guarantee and registered in England (Company number 4432677)

Annual Review 2013 21 years providing information, improving understanding and reducing anxiety

Brain and spine conditions There are several hundred different conditions of the brain and spine and together they affect about 10 million people in the UK.

Improving services to reach more people

These conditions affect both children and adults and in many cases have a long term pattern without the prospect of a cure in the immediate future. Neurological conditions and associated treatments are often complex and poorly understood by those affected and their families.

The Brain and Spine Foundation was founded in 1992 and is committed to improving the support and provision of quality information available to individuals in order to reduce anxiety and help inform their choices.

Financial summary Income £620,828

Expenditure £656,623

£1 expenditure breakdown:

This year during ‘Brain Awareness Week’ we launched our very first online chats, which proved a huge success with website users.

In 2013 we had over 100,000 requests for printed brain and spine information.

We received over 4,000 calls and emails to the nurses on the Brain and Spine Helpline this year.

fundraising 19p information and education 69p other charitable services 10p governance 2p Source: Trustee Report & Financial Statements 2012-13 (a copy of this report is available from BSF office or from the website www.brainandspine.org.uk/aboutus)

Over 475 people took part in sponsored events for the Brain and Spine Foundation during 2013.

We shared updates on neurological conditions and treatments with over 1,700 Facebook users and 6,000 Twitter followers.

What we offer

What our callers and web visitors say

We currently provide over 26 informative booklets and fact sheets on different conditions.

“The information offered was exactly what I wanted to know.”

Our Helpline is staffed by neuroscience nurses and is used by both patients and relatives to understand their personal situations better.

We work closely with many other organisations which have specialist knowledge or experience in specific conditions.

Our discussion forums on the website and on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Google+ offer more opportunities to share experiences and anxieties.

There is no charge to individuals using our services.

„I'm glad you exist!‰ “The response to my query was thorough, relevant and reassuring. I would not hesitate to use the helpline again. Thank you.” „Excellent service. First class delivery of it by the nurse I spoke to.‰ “The care and professionalism of your staff is excellent. The information sheets and booklets are second to none, and it is for this reason that increased awareness of those services should be a priority.” „It is simply brilliant! Keep up the excellent work and say thank you to the wonderful nurses! I am so grateful to have this service!‰

We need your support

21 years of caring

We are very dependent on the families, friends and relatives of people affected by brain and spine conditions for the majority of our income every year. Hundreds of people made donations, took part in events and gave up their time too, ensuring the Foundation could continue its work.

1992 British Brain and Spine Foundation founded by

Our thanks go to all of them, but in particular we would like to thank Stuart Lee, an inspiration to us all; Team Sparkle - The Shazzie Trust who have been raising money for the foundation for many years; The Daily Telegraph and Dame Sarah Storey for their support; Google for Nonprofits programme; Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity; Clacton Triathlon; Leeds University Union Rag and all of our fantastic event volunteers.

Also, a big congratulations goes to David Phillips, our most accomplished marathon runner, who has now run over 430 marathons and raised £70,000 for the Foundation in recent years.

If you can help us in 2014 with a donation or organising an event, please do get in touch.

a group of neurosurgeons and neurologists to provide a new focus for understanding brain and spine conditions and their treatments.

1995 First research grants announced with a focus on head injury and brain tumours.

1998 A nurse-led Helpline opens to offer information and support to patients.

2001 Name changed to ‘Brain and Spine Foundation’.

2003 Former boxer Michael Watson completed the London Marathon in 6 days, 2 hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds, raising over £250,000 for the charity.

2004 Headstrong Children’s Project helps young people affected by brain tumours and acquired brain injury.

2009 New booklet range produced for patients and carers.

2010 Foundation gained accreditation by the Department of Health’s new Information Standard.

2012 New website offers improved access to the 750,000 patients and other visitors seeking information annually.

2013 The Brain and Spine Foundation celebrate their 21st Birthday.