Supporting patients

We are fortunate in having an active support network of people who provide a range of advice and Weld Road practical support to injured people and their families.

We have a patient support group which runs regular sessions for all our patients.

Patients living at home may also wish to contact the group for advice or support.

Appointments can be arranged by telephoning 01704 704659 (answer machine) or emailing spinalpatientgroup@hotmail.co.uk.

• Volunteering (spinal injuries)

  Probably the greatest support you can provide is time itself, and you may have a little to spare and wish to become a volunteer.

  To volunteer for work at the Centre, please call 01704 704333

  If you wish to volunteer to help SUAG, please call 01704 704333

  If you wish to volunteer to help the Sports and Social Club, please call 0151 924 6887.

• Donations and fundraising

  We are grateful to all those patients, their families and members of staff who fundraise or make gifts to the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre each year.

  Cheques should be made payable to “Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust (SIU)”.

  When making a donation, please say in your covering letter if you would like the money put towards a particular piece of equipment or using for a specific purpose.

  There is more information, including where to send your donation, on the Charity and Fundraising page.

• Southport Paraplegic Sports and Social Club

  The club was founded in 1960 to provide a sports and social outlet for people leaving the centre.

  Besides offering various sporting activities, the club also provides opportunities for travel, friendship and a social life. Members compete in a variety of traditional sports (e.g. tennis, athletics and table tennis) with an affiliated skiing group (Snowability) providing activities in the winter months.

  After injury, people may be apprehensive about their future but the club provides practical, emotional and educational support.

  People are often surprised how much they can learn – and not just about sport. Those with no interest in sport, have used the club’s members as a source of information and advice – from the practical issues such as independent living, driving, holidays or providing support in coping with everyday life, from people who have often come through the same experience, and with similar levels injury.

  For further information concerning the activities of the group, please contact: Stephen Latham 0151 924 6887.

• Spinal Unit Action Group

  The Spinal Unit Action Group (SUAG) is a registered charity which was established in 1973 with the aim of supporting patients and former patients.

  SUAG’s activities include holding monthly social evenings and weekly coffee bars on the ward, assisting with travel and accommodation costs for relatives, sponsoring driving lessons, funding research projects and purchasing specialist equipment.

  In addition, SUAG provides a residential home in Southport for long and short-term residents and is staffed by a highly committed workforce trained in the needs of the spinal cord injured.

  Contact: Hon Secretary, 6 Weld Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 2AZ | spinalunitactiongroup@yahoo.co.uk