Human Needs

Guidelines for those applying for financial assistance from Aspire's Human Needs Fund

Aspire directs a proportion of the money it raises to its Human Needs Fund.  Its purpose is to help those with a spinal cord injury to acquire equipment which will make a real difference to their life and which, without our support, would be impossible for them to afford.

Social Services and Local Health Authorities are obliged to provide primary assistance in the first instance.  However, you may feel that the equipment they provide falls short of your needs, in which case, Aspire may be able to help.  Each application we receive is judged on merit by our independent expert advisers.

  • Grants from the fund are solely for people with acquired non progressive spinal cord injury.
  • The grant is open to those who are British citizens and those with a legal right to reside in the U.K and Ireland or have refugee status in the U.K and Ireland.
  • Local Health Authorities or the Social Services have an obligation to provide basic assistance.  On application, Aspire may top up such funds to help provide specialist equipment.  We require evidence that all sources of statutory funding have been exhausted.
  • Aspire rarely supplies all the money required.  We normally make up the difference between the total cost and the money you are able to raise yourself, from statutory sources or from other charities.
  • Once you have completed the application form, it will take our panel of independent experts 4-6 weeks to consider your case.  We need a letter from your Occupational Therapist or from your Medical Consultant to say that the specialist equipment you are applying for is appropriate.
  • Aspire will not consider paying towards equipment you already possess.  We are unlikely to fund a second request within a 5 year period.   Aspire does not accept any residual responsibility for replacement, repairs, maintenance or insurance.
  • Should your financial circumstances change, arising from an award of a compensation payment, Aspire will require its grant to be repaid within 56 days of receipt of your final award of compensation or within 56 days of an interim payment in excess of £100,000 whichever is the sooner, to reimburse the Human Needs fund for the benefit of those in greater need and any payment made to you by Aspire is made strictly on this condition.
  • As we have limited funding, we focus on the level of independence that the grant may provide. 

We are unlikely to fund certain applications that do not comply with the above conditions, for example:

  • Standing wheelchairs
  • Passive exercise equipment
  • House adaptations
  • Holidays
  • Vehicles

Other applications will be discussed on a case by case basis.

The panel will fund based on the following priorities in rank order:

  • Re establishing independent mobility
  • Establishing further education or employment
  • Enhance access to leisure and recreation.
  • Maintaining independent mobility

Our Panel is made up of a number of experts on spinal injury, disability, independent living, administration and finance.  We endeavour to ensure that every application that complies with the above minimum criteria, is given its due consideration and opportunity.

"));