Returning to work after a spinal cord injury can be a significant challenge. Many people don’t receive specialist vocational guidance until long after they have left hospital. This often results in a loss of confidence and a belief that employment may no longer be achievable. Earlier access to tailored support is essential.

The grant will fund the development of their employment support service to offer support at a much earlier stage – delivering directly within hospitals and health settings. The programme will be led by people with spinal cord injuries, drawing on more than a decade of experience in supporting disabled people to achieve their employment goals.

Back Up will work with all of the UK’s NHS spinal centres to provide peer-led guidance from people who fully understand the journey back into work. This helps people identify their own pathway back into work or volunteering.

The programme will reach at least 200 patients before discharge.

This early, peer-led approach means that people can explore their aspirations and begin planning for their future at the earliest possible stage.

This grant is part of our pilot to explore a more inclusive model of grant-making. It seeks to shift decision-making power away from funders and towards the people and communities most directly affected. This specific grant cycle aims to support innovative and early interventions to help people with severe disabilities to access good work.
Our participatory grant committee included:

• Previous Disability Power 100 winners
• Shaw Trust youth ambassadors – young disabled people with lived experience

Together, they shaped the evaluation criteria, reviewed applications, and selected the proposal and organisation that best aligned with the aims of the grant.

The committee commended Back Up for its strong early intervention model and its commitment to peer-to-peer support. Members were also impressed by the organisation’s leadership and governance, which demonstrate a high level of disability representation.

• 54% of Trustees have a spinal cord injury
• A further 18% have a close family member with a spinal cord injury
• One third of the Senior Management Team have a spinal cord injury
• A further third have a close family member with a disability

This depth of lived experience ensures that Back Up’s services are shaped and informed by the people they are designed to support.

We’re looking forward to seeing the impact of the grant and congratulate the Back Up team for their incredible work. Their commitment to empowering people with spinal cord injuries through early, peer-led vocational support is a strong example of innovation and leadership.

“I really valued the opportunity to have an active role in the decision-making process for this grant. It gave me a real insight and practical experience of how funding decisions are made. Back Up’s application stood out to me because it was practical, included good evidence and really focused on delivering early support. I could see it would make a real difference to people with spinal injuries.”

Aidan Bluff, Participatory Grant Committee Member and Shaw Trust Supported Internship Ambassador

“Spinal cord injury can change a life in an instant. In those early days, many people are left wondering whether work or education will ever be possible again. The earlier we reach people, the sooner they can rebuild confidence, reclaim purpose, and return to work or learning on their own terms. Thanks to Shaw Trust, we can get to people earlier and show all that is possible after spinal cord injury.”

Abigail Lock, CEO, Back Up