Louise was 22, a mother to a one-year-old and a two-year-old, when her life changed in an instant. Working in a nursing home, she sustained a spinal cord injury while moving a patient. After surgery and treatment, she returned to the North West and, 36 years later, is still under the care of the same consultant.

Today, Louise gives back as an Independent Living Advisor for Aspire. “I encourage people to become independent,” she explains, “and give advice on the services that Aspire offers,” from welfare benefits and housing to referrals for support Aspire can’t provide directly.

Her role reflects Aspire’s Independent Living Service, delivered at the North-West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport, where advisors offer newly injured patients practical and emotional support with everything from accessible housing to managing money and care.

For Louise, the scale of that support was a revelation. “I was astounded by the breadth of help that they can give people,” she says, describing the fear many feel leaving the spinal unit: “Who am I going to turn to? How am I going to manage my care? How am I going to manage my money properly?” It’s here that Aspire’s Housing Programme and Welfare Benefits and Money Matters services step in, helping people secure suitable homes and regain financial control, reducing the risk of poverty after injury.

“Any funding that Aspire gets, it all goes towards helping people with spinal cord injuries,” Louise reflects.

With £10,000 raised through the Pilkington’s Charity Fund, Emily, Aspire’s Trusts Manager, shared her thanks: “We’re just so grateful for their ongoing support. Their commitment and their generosity is just outstanding, and we are so thankful to them for everything they’ve done over the years.”