Support for family members

“The family service has been invaluable, to feel that you’re not completely on your own and to know that others understand what you’re talking about.”

When a family member has a spinal cord injury, it can be difficult to acknowledge and accept that their injury will affect you too.

You might find it difficult to express and share how you have been affected by these events, especially to your loved one with the injury. Overwhelming feelings of guilt, helplessness, confusion and isolation are very common.  It can also be difficult to talk to friends and other family members and there can be a sense of not wishing to burden others.

If you are a parent, partner, child or any other family member of a person with a spinal cord injury, we are here if you want to talk.  The family support team are trained to listen, offer advice and support you to make positive changes in your life.

Our family rehab services are available to all family members – regardless of where your loved one is receiving their rehabilitation – and at any time you need them. Click below to register and read on for more information on the support available.

Register for family support

1. Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that there are many questions when you’re newly affected by spinal cord injury so we’ve grouped some of these FAQs together here. If you have further questions please contact us here or call on 020 8875 1805.

2. Create your own Information Pack

By answering a few short questions about your current circumstances, we’ll provide you with a tailored information pack designed to help you answer any questions. This information covers a range of different topics, from money and housing to care and support, and you’ll be able to download your information pack to refer to later.

This service is available 24/7, and all answers you give will remain completely anonymous. Create your own information pack here.

3. Relatives’ days

Relatives’ days take place online and are open to anyone who has a newly injured family member with a spinal cord injury.  At these sessions, you will learn all about spinal cord injury and how it will affect you and your family member’s life moving forward.  For more information click here or to register for details of upcoming relative’s days email us or call on 020 8875 1805

4. Family Mentoring

Spinal cord injury affects the whole family. Children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents – everyone. Our family mentors all have experience of spinal cord injury and are here to support you. Whatever your age, and whichever member of your family has a spinal cord injury, you can talk to us.

We have trained volunteer mentors who are parents, partners, siblings and children of people with a spinal cord injury and we will match you with someone who can best meet your needs. Whether you want to discuss looking after yourself or you need practical advice, we’ll pair you up with someone who can genuinely understand, someone who has “been there” and who can help you work out the best way to move forwards.

Find out more and register for our family mentoring service.

5. Family Lounge

The Back Up Lounge is an online forum open every other Wednesday from 6pm – 7pm to everyone aged over 18 (we also have a youth lounge for under 18s) affected by spinal cord injury, where no conversation topic is off-limits.

Every Lounge has a breakout room exclusively for people who’s loved one or relative has a spinal cord injury. Come and chat to our family support team and meet other family members. For more information and to register click here

6. What Next? Course

What Next? is our online course designed for those in the first year of being affected by spinal cord injury. The course includes a module focussed on supporting family members where you will have the opportunity to learn more about spinal cord injury and how to best move forward with life, all in the company of people who know exactly what you’re going through. For further information and to register click here