Annual Review 2008
Looking Forward
The expansion of our national services continues to be the key focus for Aspire in this next financial year. In the face of declining financial markets and economic slow-down we are set for a very challenging time with the largest expansion of the Aspire Housing Programme ever.
Aspire Housing has a target that will almost double the complement of properties available to support patients being discharged from spinal injury centres who would other wise have faced lengthy delays or the possibility of being accommodated in a Nursing Home. The strength of the professional relationships we have developed with Housing Associations, and in particular with the Guinness Trust, over the years have resulted in several properties that are already in the early stages of building. This will help to ensure we achieve our expansion target.
Our Independent Living Advisor service has been welcomed and valued in the few spinal injury centres we have been able to support so far. We will aim to treble the number of Advisors, all former spinal injury patients, to develop this service further and introduce it to as many spinal centres as possible.
The above two targets for the year are an indication that Aspire is not standing still in the face of difficult financial times but that we determined to take on the challenges of the future to ensure we provide practical support to even more of the spinal injury community in giving them the opportunity to live a fulfilled and independent life.
To ensure we succeed, and achieve all of our targets for expansion, we have developed a clear strategy to increase our fundraising through more efficient giving and by diversifying into areas historically underexploited by Aspire. Coupled with a strong vision, governance and prudent financial management we are confident in our ability to build upon our existing services to become truly national in our support to the spinal injury community.
Brian Carlin
Chief Executive