All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on spinal injuries

On Tuesday 15 October, we held our first APPG on spinal injuries since reconstituting it earlier this year.

The meeting was a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to address the needs and challenges faced by the spinal cord injury (SCI) community.

Lived experiences shared

We were privileged to hear powerful testimonies from members of the SCI community, who shared their lived experiences on critical issues such as bowel care, women’s health, housing, and health inequalities. These personal stories highlighted the urgent need for systemic changes and better support.

Our Call to Action

Mark Ridler Director or Programmes and Services from Spinal Injuries Association presented our Call to Action, outlining a strategic roadmap aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries. This roadmap is a crucial tool in our advocacy efforts, providing clear and actionable steps to drive meaningful change.

Campaigns update

Our campaigns manager, Dharshana Sridhar, provided an update on our current campaigns, emphasising the progress made and the work still to be done. Her update underscored our commitment to advocating for the rights and needs of the SCI community.

Support from Andrew Lewin MP

We were also encouraged by the proactive support from Andrew Lewin MP, who reached out during the meeting to offer his assistance with issues related to disabled housing. With our collaboration, he has already drafted and submitted vital questions on this topic, marking a significant step towards addressing housing challenges for disabled individuals.

Government Engagement

Chair Andy McDonald MP updated the APPG with the news that the Minister for Long Term Conditions, Andrew Gwynne MP, has agreed to meet with SIA. This meeting will focus on exploring how the government can assist with some of the critical issues raised by our community.

We look forward to continuing our work with all stakeholders to ensure that the voices of the SCI community are heard and that their needs are met with effective and compassionate solutions.