Brain and spine annual review 2014

Annual Review 2014 Providing support and information for people with neurological conditions

Oliver climbs to the roof of Africa in support of people with neurological conditions

www.brainandspine.org.uk

Brain and Spine Conditions There are 350 different conditions of the brain and spine and together they affect more than 10 million people in the UK. These conditions affect both children and adults and in many cases have long term impacts without the prospect of a cure. Neurological conditions and associated treatments are often complex and poorly understood by those affected and their families.

The Brain and Spine Foundation exists to provide this information and to be there during diagnosis, treatments and in the longer term to answer questions and provide support throughout a patient’s journey. We are the only UK wide charity providing support on the full range of neurological conditions.

Where does your money go?

Income £621,945

Expenditure £737,407

Our Mission The Brain and Spine Foundation aims to maximise the quality of life for people with neurological conditions and to reduce neurodisability by providing a national focus for information, education and research.

£1 expenditure breakdown: In planning the annual activities of the charity, our services meet the following three main strategic goals:

Information and education 72p Fundraising 18p Other charitable services 8p Governance 2p Source: Trustee Report & Financial Statements 2013-14 (a copy of this report is available from the BSF office or from the website www.brainandspine.org.uk/aboutus)

Objective 1:

Objective 2:

Objective 3:

Improve access to quality information and support for patients and carers

Raising the profile of neurological conditions and disabilities

Securing the income needed to maintain and improve the charity’s services

Achievements 2013-14 1. 3,776 people received support by phone or email from the neuroscience nurses on the helpline.

2. More than 30,000 people found information about neurological conditions, testing and treatments by downloading booklets and factsheets from the website.

3. Over 407,000 people visited the Brain and Spine Foundation website.

4. Expenditure on charitable services was maintained at 80% of overall spending.

5. Two new booklets on ‘Head Injury’ and ‘Headache’ were produced, as well as numerous factsheets on topics such as coiling and vestibular rehabilitation exercises (VRE).

Justine’s Story In 2012, at only 23 years old and

This was a hard time for her and

living as a student in Brighton, Justine

her family and she was very grateful

suffered from a severe headache in

for the support and information

combination with other symptoms,

provided by the Brain and Spine

which resulted in her attending

Foundation. She has since made a

hospital and being diagnosed with

remarkable recovery and is now

a subarachnoid haemorrhage. She

looking forward confidently to the

underwent surgery but some time

future.

later Justine suffered a second bleed in her brain, causing her severe

“The information service you offer is of excellent value.”

“I contacted the organisation by telephone because my husband was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition and got great help and advice. I was then sent the booklets in the post and the information was precise and very helpful.”

problems, both physical and mental.

Fortunately, Justine got the help she needed, including contacting the neuroscience nurses on the Brain and Spine Foundation helpline.

Plans for the future

What can you do to help?

2014-15 marks the beginning of a new era for the Brain and Spine Foundation, in which plans to expand income and grow service delivery will start to be realised. Specific plans include:

The Brain and Spine Foundation receives no government funding and so relies

• Completion of work on online support mechanisms for young people with brain injuries, including a mobile application or “app”.

• Introduction of a programme of face-to-face support by neuroscience nurses for people affected by neurological conditions across the UK, in collaboration with The Richard Burns Foundation.

on voluntary donations to continue providing information and support for the thousands of people who come to us for help. We are enormously grateful to all those people who contributed through donations, fundraising and volunteering in 2013-14. You could help too!

• Donate now through the website www.brainandspine.org.uk or text BASF21 with the number of £s you want to donate to 70070 e.g.

BASF21 10 to give £10

• Take up a challenge in aid of the Brain and Spine Foundation! Go to the website for ideas: http://www.brainandspine.org.uk/fundraising-events

• Call now to ask for a collection box to put in your local shop, school or at home

• More awareness raising activities to improve the charity’s relationships with health professionals, with the goal that everyone affected by a neurological condition knows about the support available to them.

• Expanded programme of live “web-chats” on a variety of topics, hosted by experts in the field.

• Development of plans for a series of conferences for professionals to begin in 2015.

• Call now on 020 7793 5900 or check the website for other exciting ways to get involved

What your money pays for… £5000 pays for a fully trained neuroscience nurse to operate the helpline for one month, supporting around 350 people with help and information. £500 contributes to vital online support for young people with brain injuries. £50 pays for a full set of booklets to be sent to a hospital or clinic in your area to support neurological patients.

The Brain and Spine Foundation provides essential support and information to people affected by neurological conditions including the more common such as stroke and dementia as well as rarer conditions such as brain aneurysm and subarachnoid haemorrhage.

We receive no government funding so rely on voluntary donations to carry on this vital work.

Call to speak to a neuroscience nurse, for support, information or if you just want to chat.

www.twitter.com/brainspine www.facebook.com/brainandspine www.youtube.com/BrainAndSpineCharity Brain and Spine Foundation, 3.36 Canterbury Court, Kennington Park, 1-3 Brixton Road London SW9 6DE T: 020 7793 5900 / E: 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)