Back Up - support for children and young people with spinal cord injury

Every year, around 100 young people sustain a spinal cord injury through either illness or trauma. Back Up is the only charity in the UK that has dedicated services for children and young people with a spinal cord injury. We know that life with a spinal cord injury can be hard. We are here to make things that bit easier by providing the opportunity to meet other young people who understand and to learn new skills that help with confidence and independence and to have a lot of fun. Our services can help young people post injury in a variety of ways, whether it’s returning to education, employment, or training, information, advice and guidance, going on a course to boost confidence and independence - or support for the wider family. And all our services are developed and delivered by people affected by spinal cord injury themselves.

Our services for children and young people affected by spinal cord injury include:

• Education Inclusion – helping prepare for returning to nursery, school or at any point in a child’s education journey, and ensuring the right support is in place
• Courses – multi activity courses are a chance to meet other young people, try out new activities such as abseiling and have some fun
• Wheelchair skills – teaching wheelchair skills to help people to be more independent and confident using their wheelchair
• Mentoring - talking to someone your age who understands what it’s like to have a spinal cord injury and can answer any questions you may have (we provide this service for parents too).
• Information, Advice and Guidance - detailed and wide ranging advice on what to expect growing up with an injury and what support is available