News
We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
Spinal Injuries Association is delighted to announce that we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, proudly supporting those who serve.
Photo: Nik Hartley, CEO of Spinal Injuries Association with Lt Col Glenn C Ridgley INT CORPS and Captain Johanna Hrycak of 158 Regiment, Royal logistic Corps.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise to acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.
At SIA we are determined to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant by:
- Support: Supporting any Armed Forces personnel and their families who are affected by spinal cord injuries, during their rehabilitation and their reintegration into family, home and community
- Communications and outreach: We will engage with veterans and families affected by spinal cord injury to help them find opportunities socially including connection into the work of our community groups around the country
- Health and welfare: Supporting those affected by spinal cord injury to access the health, care, housing and livelihoods they need through our network of charities and organisations locally and nationally
Photo from left to right: Matt Cove, Ashleigh Onabajo, Alice Capper, Glyn Hayes, Nik Hartley (CEO of Spinal Injuries Association), Lt Col Glenn C Ridgley (INT CORPS) and Captain Johanna Hrycak (158 Regiment, Royal logistic Corps) Laura Gutteridge, Phil Gutteridge.
Our work with the armed forces is not new, having liaised with veterans and their families through our work in healthcare settings for many years going back to our foundation. Supporting people like Ian from from Yorkshire:
“I did a full career in the army of 22 years and straight after the Army I became a teacher specialising in special education needs. In December 2023 I was cycling home from work and an 18-year-old ran into the back of me and broke my back.”
“The transition from the forces to civilian life was difficult, but I was able to do that quite effectively with the support of my wife. However, the transition from being able-bodied to disabled has been far harder. It’s even more life-changing in a different way. There’s no time to prepare for it and I have really struggled mentally, physically, with coming to terms with my disability, the limitations it places on me and my family.”
If you are an SIA member and you are connected to the armed forces either having served, are or have been married to someone serving or are an immediate relation to someone who is or has served, please complete the short form via the button below.
If you are not yet an SIA member you can sign up for free here and include your connection to the armed forces
