What Matters Survey 2026
Tell us what matters to you, have your say and make a real difference
What Matters? is our annual sector-leading survey that we carry out to better understand the issues people with spinal cord injury are facing in the UK today.
TAKE THE SURVEY
> It should take no more than 20 minutes and will make a real difference to how we support people with a spinal cord injury
> Your responses help direct our work at SIA – from what campaigns we run to the kind of services we offer, allowing us to make changes when and where they are needed. So, tell us! What should we be expanding? What should we be fighting for on your behalf? Your stories are at the centre of what we do, and your responses will help shape the service we offer.
> If you require this survey in a different format or language, please contact us at [email protected]
> What Matters? 2026 will close on 31 May 2026.
Please share the What Matters? survey with others in the spinal cord injury community
2025 survey results
A huge thank you to everyone who took part the time to complete the 2025 What Matters survey. Over 930 of you shared your experiences, and it provided us a small insight into the day-to-day experienced of our members.
This year’s report tells us that while there are improvements in some respects, we still have a long way to go to ensure inclusivity in mental health, care settings, and day-to-day life for people living with spinal cord injury. Your input ensures that our future programmes and campaigns are shaped by your lived experiences and means we can continue to push for a fulfilled life for everyone affected by spinal cord injury.
Key findings
57% of you told us that the accessibility of general medical services and testing was a top priority.
46% of people who had been inpatients in the past two years felt that their bowel care was managed poorly.
65% of you shared that you had experienced challenges with your mental health
50% of you felt your injury completely or significantly prevented your ability to access employment.
61% of respondents faced challenges funding their care needs.
Our What Matters? survey
Spinal Injuries Association has been conducting this annual survey since 2021 to better understand the main obstacles for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in the UK.
We’re eager to hear from you so tell us; What should we fight for? What support do you need? What partnerships could transform our sector? What services should we be giving you? What should we be campaigning for? What matters to you? Your insights will guide our campaigns, connections, and long-term vision.
Our What Matters? survey gives us invaluable information about what matters to people with spinal cord injury, their families and people working in the sector. Together, we can ensure that our work resonates with what truly matters to our growing community.
Your input helps us to shape our existing and future programmes and campaigns, with the aim of creating a better future for the spinal cord injury community. We will continue to amplify your voices where they need to be heard most and be ambitious in our drive for a fulfilled life for all of our members.
Any questions, at any time please contact [email protected]
Please carry on the conversation on Facebook Spinal Injuries Association X @spinalinjuries Instagram @spinal_injuries and LinkedIn @spinalinjuriesassociation Use the hashtag #WhatMatters
Thank you for being part of our movement for change!
Past ‘What Matters’ reports
