News Archive

Aspire on You and Yours

Television presenter Victoria Hollingsworth has been working with Aspire over the last year to highlight the work that we do. Her most recent project for Radio 4's You and Yours programme sees her report on the spinal injuries patients who face housing problems when they leave hosptial.

Victoria says, “I know of a girl around my age who was paralysed following an accident and had to live in an old people’s home for 18 months. Can you imagine your state of mind - coming to terms with your injury, and having to do that surrounded by people four times your age?"

"There's also the story of man who was a new father immediately prior to his accident. His council housed him in a hotel and he rarely got to see his wife and baby. She worked full time and he couldn’t afford to eat in the hotel so had to rely on eating take-away food as he had no access to a kitchen.”

Every year around 1,200 people sustain a spinal cord injury, and Aspire research estimates that up to 800 of these could face housing problems.

The Department for Communities and Local Government says it is providing more support for measures designed to help people live independently in their own homes. It also says Government funding for home adaptations such as wheelchair ramps has doubled since 1997.

Victoria’s report, which includes an interview with Aspire's Housing Manager Belinda Milrod, can be heard on BBC Radio 4’sYou and Yours website.