Useful organisations

The directory of useful organisations is divided into categories that may be useful to people looking for information and support on different aspects of brain injury.

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Accessible holidays

Revitalise

Revitalise provides respite care and short breaks for disabled people and carers

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Acquired brain injury

Acquired Brain Injury Managed Clinical Network (ABIMCN)

The National Managed Clinical Network (NMCM) for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is a Scottish National Network established by the National Services Division (NSD) in 2007. Its aim is to improve access to and the quality of services for children and adults with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

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AVM Support UK

Provide various support services for people affected by Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM).

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Brain and Spine Foundation

Research, education and information. Booklets on a wide range of neurological conditions and symptoms and an online discussion forum. Helpline is staffed by neuroscience nurses.

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Brain and Spinal Injury Charity (BASIC)

BASIC provides a specialist resource at the Neurocare Centre for people and their families in crisis following a traumatic brain injury or neurological diagnosis.

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Different Strokes

This is a new charity for young stroke survivors aiming to provide access to physio and exercise, information and counselling and advice on further education and job opportunities.

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Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS)

CHSS improves the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness, through medical research, influencing public policy, advice and information and support in the community.

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IIH UK

IIH UK aim to provide the best possible support network for IIH sufferers and their families, to raise awareness and understanding of IIH within the general public and medical community and to champion and support medical research into finding a cure for the condition.

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Meningitis Now

Meningitis Now is the new name for Meningitis UK and the Meningitis Trust. Our goals remain the same - saving lives and rebuilding futures

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Shine

Shine is a charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families who face the challenges arising from spina bifida and hydrocephalus. We provide specialist support to anyone living with these conditions, as well as to parents, families, carers and professional health and social care staff. With a community of 75,000 individuals, families, friends, and professionals, Shine also provides a platform for members to share achievements, challenges, and information on living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus

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Stroke Association

The Stroke Association is the only UK wide charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. The Stroke Association funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation; campaigns to increase knowledge of stroke and improve stroke services; and act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke. Stroke survivors and family members are supported directly through its Life After Stroke Service. The Stroke Association also provides a range of informational publications, a stroke helpline and an information service for anyone affected by stroke.

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The Brain Tumour Charity

The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK's largest dedicated brain tumour charity. We fund scientific and clinical research into brain tumours and offer support and information to those affected, whilst raising awareness and influencing policy.

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United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF)

Aims to promote understanding of all aspects of Acquired Brain Injury and to provide expert input to policy makers, service providers and general public. Website contains a directory of brain injury rehabilitation services.

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Advocacy

Patient Advice and Liaison Service

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.

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Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

Advocacy helps vulnerable people have their voice heard and enabling them to express their own needs and make their own decisions.

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Awareness and prevention

Cycle-Smart Foundation (formerly Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust)

Cycle-Smart is committed to saving young people's lives by promoting safe cycling and, in particular, the use of cycle helmets.

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Brake

Brake, the national road safety charity, works to stop death and injury on the roads and to care for people affected by road crashes. Brake also runs educational initiatives and campaigns for tougher laws against dangerous drivers. Brake produces a range of support literature for people bereaved and injured at these particularly devastating times. This literature is distributed by the police forces following every fatal crash and often after a serious injury. Brake also runs a helpline, through which its highly trained operators can support families and friends following the aftermath of a road crash. The helpline provides both emotional support as well as practical information on the many procedures that follow a death on the road. The helpline also acts as a signposting service directing callers to counselling services, trauma therapists and self-help groups.

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CO Awareness

CO-Awareness is an organisation that supports the many victims of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning and Toxic Combustion (TC) poisoning, their families and friends.

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Neurological Alliance

The Neurological Alliance is a wide range of neurological charities which have come together to make life better for people in the UK with a neurological condition. Our aims are to raise awareness of neurological conditions and their impact; inform and influence policy makers about the needs of people with neurological conditions; secure the highest standards of service and improved care for people with neurological conditions; promote research and the dissemination of information about neurological conditions.

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RoadPeace

UK national charity provides emotional and practical support to road crash victims (bereaved and injured) and runs a Helpline which is open from 9am-9pm 7 days a week. Campaign for road safety.

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Disability Rights UK

We produce high quality information, products and services developed by and for disabled people

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Care services

carehome.co.uk

A comprehensive guide to all registered UK care homes, including those for specific needs relating to a brain injury.

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Care Choices Ltd

Care Choices Ltd offers a free residential/care home search service. The company has a database of care homes, nursing homes, elderly accommodation and similar establishments throughout the UK.

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Care Quality Commission

Our job is to check whether hospitals, care homes and care services are meeting government standards. Website provides a comprehensive directory of care homes, care in the home services and other primary and secondary health services

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Enrych

ENRYCH supports adults with a physical disability to engage more fully within their local communities. We provide this service through our UK branches by "matching" our members' requirements to the skills and interests of volunteers and personal assistants.

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Relatives and Residents Association

Provides information and support about carehomes.

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Carer and family support

Brain Injury is BIG

Brain Injury is BIG is a support group for people who have loved ones with devastating brain injuries. They may be severely disabled, in a persistent vegetative state, minimally aware/conscious or locked in.

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Care Inspectorate

The independent regulator of social care and social work services across Scotland. Regulates, inspects and supports improvement of care, social work and child protection services for the benefit of the people who use them.

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Carers UK

Carers UK is a membership organisation of carers, led by carers for carers.

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CRUSE Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care's vision is that all bereaved people have somewhere to turn when someone dies. Our mission is to offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies, and to enhance society's care of bereaved people.

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HealthtalkOnline - Family experiences of vegetative and minimally conscious states

Extensive information on the experience of having a relative in a vegetative or minimally conscious state. Includes a large number of interviews from family members to support information on critical care, longer term care, impact on family and friends, on-going decisions, death and dying and more.

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Princess Royal Trust for Carers

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is the largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in the UK.

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Relate

Aims to support marriage and family life. Relate has a range of literature and can refer to local branches for individual counselling services.

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Stroke4Carers

Website containing over 300 pages with easy to use interactive advice, information and support for unpaid stroke carers

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Children and young people

Brainwave Centre Ltd (Brainwave Centre for rehabilitation and development)

Design home-based programmes of rehabilitation for children involving both physical and cognitive techniques.

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British Institute for Brain Injured Children (BIBIC)

BIBIC is a national charity offering practical help to families caring for children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, developmental delay, traumatic and acquired brain injury and specific learning difficulties such as attention deficits, hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

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Children's Trust

The Children's Trust is a national charity providing residential rehabilitation, community services, information and support to children and young people with acquired brain injury and their families

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Child Brain Injury Trust

The Child Brain Injury Trust supports children, young people and families affected by an acquired brain injury, to enable them to achieve their potential.

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Contact a Family

Contact a Family is the only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children - no matter what their health condition. We also enable parents to get in contact with other families, both on a local and national basis. Each year we reach at least 250,000 families

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PANS PANDAS UK

PANS PANDAS UK is a charity which was established by a dedicated group of parents with children who are affected by these conditions.  Determined to make a difference to the way these conditions are understood by the medical profession and the general public, the charity was registered in May 2018.

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Effects of brain injury

Speak With IT

Speak With IT match people with aphasia with trained volunteer speech support workers who visit the person with aphasia in their own home and supports them to work on their identified communication goal. We also run numerous social groups for people with aphasia, technology clubs and have recently set up an Aphasia Choir. All our support is guided by speech and language therapists.

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Aphasia Now

'Aphasia now' is a website started by an aphasia wanted to get in touch with like minded and other sufferers to learn more about the invisible disability.

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Aphasia Software Finder

Information about software programs and apps for people with aphasia in the English language

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ARCOS - the Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills

ARCOS is a national charity. We work with children and adults who have communication and eating (swallowing) difficulties, their families, carers and others involved. ARCOS provides information, advice, practical help, specialist therapy training and other services not readily available elsewhere.

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Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice

Can supply details of therapists by region or specific condition

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Challenging Behaviour Foundation

Provide an info service, fact sheets, support network to improve the lives and conditions of people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, their immediate family and carers.

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Counselling Directory

Connecting you with professional support - find a counsellor or psychotherapist near you.

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Depression Alliance

Depression Alliance is the leading national charity for people affected by depression. We provide a range of information and support services & work to reduce the stigma and isolation often associated by depression.

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Fifth Sense

The charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders.

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Learnet

A Resource for Teachers, Clinicians, Parents, and Students by the Brain Injury Association of New York State. Contains a range of tutorials covering different aspects of brain injury. Whilst the materials are aimed at students and young people, they are also applicable to adults.

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Funding

Headway Emergency Fund

Grants of up to £500 to help families and individuals cope with the practical implications of a sudden catastrophic brain injury.

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Independent Living Fund

The funds were set up as a national resource dedicated to the financial support of disabled people enabling them to choose to live in the community rather than residential care.

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Turn2Us

We are a charitable service which helps people access the money available to them - through welfare benefits, grants and other help. Our free, accessible website has been designed to help you find appropriate sources of financial support, quickly and easily, based on your particular needs and circumstances.

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International organisations

Brain Injury Association of America

Aims to create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy.

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Headway Ireland

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International Brain Injury Association

The International Brain Injury Association (IBIA) is dedicated to the development and support of multidisciplinary medical and clinical professionals, advocates, policy makers, consumers and others who work to improve outcomes and opportunities for persons with brain injury.

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Legal

APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers)

APIL (the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) is an independent, not for profit organisation providing accreditation to lawyers specialising in the area of personal injury law. Website includes a directory of accredited solicitors.

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Association of Independent Visitors (UK)

A nationwide group of current and ex Court of Protection Visitors who formed an alliance to work with private clients and their families, solicitors, Deputies and Attorneys in upholding and safeguarding best interests.

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Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority administers the criminal injuries compensation scheme throughout England, Scotland and Wales. We pay compensation to people who have been the victim of a violent crime.

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Law Society

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Office of the Public Guardian

The Office of the Public Guardian supports and promotes decision making for those who lack capacity or would like to plan for their future, within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

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Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland)

The Office of the Public Guardian has a general function to supervise those individuals who have been appointed to manage the financial or property affairs of an adult who lacks the capacity to do so for themselves. The office is based in Falkirk and covers the whole of Scotland

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Rehabilitation

British Dietetic Association

The British Dietetic Association, established in 1936, is the professional association for dietitians.

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British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (BSRM)

The Society encourages doctors in all clinical specialties to be involved in education and research into the management of disability. Membership of the BSRM is open to all registered medical practitioners interested and concerned with its objectives.

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Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the country's 45,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants. It aims to support its members and help them to provide the highest standards of patient care

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College of Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) can help people of all ages when physical and mental illness, disability, long-term condition, or the effects of ageing prevent them from doing the activities they need or want to do. Get more information and find occupational therapy services. 

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Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)

DLF are the leading source of information on disability equipment. They aim to give advice and information on any aspect of disability presenting problems through providing an information service and answering queries by telephone and letter. Maintain a large equipment display area, which may be visited by appointment.

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My Therappy

Find the right apps to aid rehabilitation and recovery. Our NHS specialists have trialled thousands of apps and selected the best.

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Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Speech and language therapy provides treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing. Get more information and find speech and language therapy service. 

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Other useful organisations

AbilityNet

Did you know that there are 11 million disabled people in the UK, at least 4 million of whom have never been online? AbilityNet is the only charity in the UK that works with people with all disabilities and of all ages, helping them to use computers and the internet to improve their lives at home, at work and in education.

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Consumer Affairs

Our mission is to empower consumers through education in the areas of credit, loans, insurance, debt and personal finance. Whether you are looking to take out a mortgage or you are considering a payday loan, we promise to provide the thorough and up-to-date information you need to make the best choice for you and your family

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Equality and Human Rights Commission

The Equality and Human Rights Commission champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society.

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Money Advice Service

The Money Advice Service is a free and impartial advice service set up by the government. The information and advice they provide is sourced from experts and has the sole purpose of providing the UK public with helpful and actionable advice.

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NHS Direct / NHS 24 / NHS Direct Wales

Medical advice from qualified nurses.

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Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)

Supporting people with sight problems.

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SCOPE

Supporting people with Cerebral Palsy.

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British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM)

BABICM is a professional association that was established in 1996 to promote the development of case management in the field of acquired brain injury.

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