Annual Review 2008
Welcome from our Chair
It gives me tremendous pleasure to introduce this report on Aspire’s many achievements over the past 12
months. In every area of our work our provision is growing, enabling ever more people with spinal cord injuries
to lead independent and fulfilled lives. And as the scope of the Charity’s work expands, so too does its influence
and reputation.
One of the perks of my role is to be there when ministers, shadow ministers, MPs, potential funders, newspaper
reporters and many others visit our headquarters’ building in Stanmore, our houses in communities around the
country, and our assistive technology rooms on Spinal Injury Centres in Britain and in Ireland, and to see the
look on their faces when they see what a practical, everyday difference Aspire is making in people’s lives.
In specific terms this report covers a 12 month period which has seen our estate of interim houses – available to
those who have just left a Spinal Injury Centre while they sort out permanent accommodation – grow to nine.
Agreements in place with the housing associations who are our partners in this field mean that the number will
be 17 by the end of our next financial year.
Our assistive technology facilities are now on nine out of 11 Spinal Injury Centres around the country, offering
patients and ex-patients the chance, regardless of their level of disability, to access email, internet and all the
wonderful things computers can do with the help of expert advisors. Our independent living advisors are now a
permanent presence at more Spinal Injury Centres – Southport, Oswestry, Sheffield and Wakefield. And our
campaigning division is starting to see the fruits of its labours in working with Whitehall, Westminster and the
media to promote the interests of those with spinal cord injuries.
To top what already is a list to be proud of, our fundraising and marketing department has managed to increase
the money it has raised to support all these vital services by 20 per cent.
Figures and numbers are very important to any charity if it is to grow, develop and meet the ever increasing
requests that come its way. But they cannot tell the whole story. For that you have to meet the individuals
whose lives are transformed by the work of Aspire. And that is another of the privileges of being chairman.
There are few more empowering and enduring things that each of us can do as human beings than lend a
helping hand to another. That basic impulse remains at the heart of Aspire.
Of course, none of the above would be possible without generosity and support from our benefactors and the
dedication and hard work from our staff and volunteers. Thank you.
Peter Stanford
Chairman