Providing information, improving understanding, reducing anxiety
Annual Review 2009
Conditions of the Brain and Spine: several hundred different conditions of the brain and spine and together they affect about 10 million people in the UK. There are
children and adults and in many cases have a long term pattern without the prospect of a cure in the immediate future. These conditions affect both
founded in 1992 and is committed to improving the care and support and information available
The Brain and Spine Foundation was
to people affected by neurological conditions in the UK.
Funding the Foundation’s work: Income £554,929 Expenditure £518,297 Patient information 41p
Children’s projects 3p
Fundraising 29p
Professional education 24p
Source: Trustee Report and Financial statements 2008-9 (copy of this report available from B&SF office)
Governance 3p
2009 - A year of progress We published and
8 new booklets
fact sheets.
We handled
50,000 requests
for brain and spine information.
We delivered
training courses
on the educational implications of
Acquired Brain Injury to over 150 educational psychologists across the UK. new course for social care staff and healthcare professionals to help them communicate better with those
We launched a
affected by neurological conditions.
Improving understanding Conditions of the brain and spine can be complex and long term. The Foundation specialises in gathering high quality information and presenting it for those affected in a format which is relevant and accessible. We provide more than 20 informative booklets and fact sheets on different conditions/procedures/symptoms and make them freely available online, by post and through our partner organisations. Our main website www.brainandspine.org.uk receives more than 25,000 visitors every month and provides information on conditions as well as links to other support organisations and neurosurgical centres across the UK. www.aboutbraininjury.org.uk is a special website specifically designed to help young people affected by an acquired brain injury.
Reducing anxiety For most people, booklets and web pages are all they require, but often people need to talk: to ask questions and be reassured. We offer a number of ways to meet this need. The Brain and Spine Helpline is staffed by neuroscience nurses who are able to help people with their questions on a wide range of neurological issues.
“I was very reassured by the Helpline, they were patient and friendly, offering practical solutions.� Our main website has a popular online forum where people affected by neurological conditions can talk to others in similar circumstances. Reducing anxiety among children and young people with brain tumours is the primary reason for the Headstrong project, which aims to explain to them their condition, their symptoms and treatment side effects.
Professional training During 2009 the Brain and Spine Foundation made excellent progress on three important training projects. Although the projects relate to different groups of professionals (educational psychologists, medical students and frontline health and social care staff) they share a common aim - to improve the care and treatment of people affected by brain and spine conditions. Educational psychologists With the invaluable support of the Waterloo and Roald Dahl Foundations, we have delivered 12 training days for groups of educational psychologists to focus on the educational needs of young people affected by acquired brain injury. Neuro training In association with Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry and with the support of the Grand Charity, a special website has been developed to help medical students share recent case histories in order to enhance their understanding of neurological issues. Communication skills course In 2009, thanks to funding from the Department of Health in England, the Foundation ran the first pilot training courses for health professionals and social care staff wishing to improve their communication skills when caring for people affected by neurological conditions.
We need your support We are very dependent on the families, friends and relatives of people affected by brain and spine conditions for the larger part of our income every year. In 2009 no one put in more effort than our longstanding supporter Charlie Pearson, who ran from Cheshire to London as a warmup routine before running the Flora London Marathon with 70 other members of the Daily Telegraph/BSF team captained by Tim Brabants. We are very grateful to the Big Lottery, LCH Clearnet, the John Ellerman Foundation and the Daily Telegraph for their major contributions to the success of some of our key initiatives in 2009 along with the many other individuals and organisations that gave their support. If you can help us in 2010 with a donation or by organising an event, do get in touch.
Charlie Pearson (left) and other valued supporters working hard to raise funds!
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 have helped many thousands of people across the UK. You can help the future 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 Fax 020 7793 5939 Brain and Spine Helpline 0808 808 1000 Website www.brainandspine.org.uk Email info@brainandspine.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1098528 A company limited by guarantee and registered in England (Company number 4432677) Registered Office: Atrium Court, 15 Jockey’s Fields, London WC1R 4QR