Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2026: Partners in Possibility
15 May 2026
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2026: Partners in Possibility
Each year, at least 4,700 people in the UK face the life-changing reality of a spinal cord injury, and this is likely to be an underestimate.
Right now, around 105,000 people across the UK are living with its lasting impact. We also know that many people do not receive specialist support in a spinal cord injury centre. This makes Back Up’s work even more important.
A spinal cord injury changes your life forever. Every two hours, someone in the UK faces this trauma. It can happen to anyone, at any age, often in an instant. Every injury is unique, bringing physical, psychological and social challenges, both visible and hidden, that affect individuals and their loved ones.
But with the right support, life can be fun, and full of purpose and meaning.
This Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, we’ve focused on highlighting the ways Back Up helps our community build confidence and independence after injury, from everyday wheelchair skills and travel to returning to work, education or volunteering.
In our 40th anniversary year, this message feels especially important. Since 1986, we have often met people at their most vulnerable, working together to rebuild confidence, restore self-belief, and foster optimism and hope.
Many of our staff and volunteers live with spinal cord injury. We know what it’s like, and we also know that extraordinary things are achievable. Through peer-to-peer support, we encourage people to reach their goals, explore new avenues and rediscover activities they love. We are also here for families as they adjust to emotional and practical changes.
Partners in Possibility expresses what sits at the heart of our work: supporting everyone affected by spinal cord injury to live life to the full.
Over the last year, Back Up supported 2,921 individuals and delivered over 43,000 support interventions across our services. This is just part of our ongoing ambition, set out in our five-year strategy, Limitless Ambition 2025-30.
Reflecting on Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, our CEO, Abigail Lock, said:
“Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day is a vital moment to recognise the realities faced by people affected by spinal cord injury, but also to celebrate independence and possibility.
“At Back Up, we know that life after spinal cord injury can be full of purpose and meaning. As Partners in Possibility, we support people to rebuild confidence, restore self-belief and explore what comes next.
“Through our Limitless Ambition strategy, we remain focused on reaching more people, across all parts of our community, and at every stage of their journey.”
Today, we also recognise the vital work of our partners, including Aspire, Cauda Equina Spinal Cord Injury Charity (CESCI), Horatio’s Garden, Inspire Foundation, Regain, Spinal Injuries Association, Spinal Injuries Scotland, Spinal Research, Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research and WheelPower.
On #SCIAD26, join us in raising awareness, sharing stories and showing your support.
