Focus on Southport
Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre
Key facts
- 46 beds
- 10 Wheelchair Skills sessions per year
Michael – Outreach and Support Coordinator
How did you first get involved with Back Up?
When I had my injury Back Up hadn’t started running the wheelchair skills services. I met someone who came into the hospital I was at to give a talk. After I was discharged I went on a multi activity course in the Lake District where I improved and learnt more wheelchair skills which gave me the confidence to venture out further on my own when I got home and try other activities.
What is your current role?
I work as an Outreach & Support Coordinator which involves working and liaising with spinal centre staff at Belfast, Salisbury, Southport and Stanmore spinal cord injury centres to run wheelchair skills and wheelchair skills extra sessions. I will stay in touch with the patients I have met after their discharge, offering support, information and signposting to other charities organisations when needed.
What is your proudest achievement at this centre?
At one skills session we had a 3 ½yo and 2 participants in their 80s, so it showed the diversity of the people being supported by Back Up. We also managed to get one of the older participants to get up and down a kerb independently.
What is the biggest challenge or frustration facing you at this centre?
The enthusiasm of the staff at Southport is very high, however they seem to be finding it hard work to get their patients to motivate themselves to attend things such as wheelchair skills.
If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing, what would it be?
To have more presence in the spinal centre to reach more people affected by SCI.
??? – Volunteer Wheelchair Skills Trainer
How did you get involved with Back Up?
I kept in touch after my accident and I was asked by Back Up if I’d like to become a wheelchair skills trainer.
What is your current role?
I am a wheelchair skills trainer at Southport.
What is your proudest achievement at this centre?
Every session is an achievement, seeing the difference in people when they see what is still possible.
If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing, what would it be?
That we get to see everyone that passed through the unit.
