The Brain Charity's cost of living appeal

Aim

Helping people affected by neurological conditions - some of society's most vulnerable - survive the cost-of-living crisis.

About The Brain Charity

Did you know there are more than 600 different neurological conditions (conditions affecting the brain, spine and nervous system) in existence—from well-known ones like stroke, brain injury, epilepsy and dementia to much rarer illnesses like Alice in Wonderland Syndrome? 

Combined, they affect 1 in 6 people. The Brain Charity is the only national charity to be here for every single one of them—and we have been for nearly 30 years.

Each year, we provide free practical help, emotional support and social activities to thousands of people affected by neurological conditions from across the UK.

The impact of a neurological diagnosis can be devastating. Life can become very lonely and frightening. 

People lose control of their lives, and many face unemployment, poverty, social isolation and poor mental health as a result. 

The cost of living crisis and our clients

The cost of living crisis is hitting those with neurological conditions hardest. In January 2022, we surveyed our community and found that 1 in 3 regularly struggle to make ends meet.

Having a long-term health condition has always been expensive. On average, disabled people have extra costs of £583 each month. These costs are not optional extras - they are the essential goods and services that enable them to live their lives.

• A person who has lost the use of their legs following a stroke needs a powered wheelchair in order to get round.
• Public transport is inaccessible for many people with disabilities, so they need to take more private-hire vehicles.
• Cold weather can exacerbate nerve pain, meaning someone with trigeminal neuralgia needs the heating on more frequently.

These are the costs that welfare benefits are supposed to cover; in practice, however, they do not go nearly far enough.

With energy prices currently skyrocketing, many of our community will be the hardest hit and are having to make the choice between heating and eating this winter.

Furthermore, our community is much more likely to be affected by digital exclusion—approximately 23% of disabled individuals in the UK are considered ‘internet non-users’, having either never used the internet, or only accessing the internet a few times each year. 

This means they are less likely to access online deals for essential utilities, track internet banking and budgeting, and find work or welfare benefits support.

This Christmas, please help us to help some of society’s most vulnerable people

All of the funds raised will go towards The Brain Charity’s information and advice service, which aims to help people affected by neurological conditions improve their financial situation and become more confident managing their money.

This includes:

• Guiding them through the process of signing up for and using online banking services. 
• Demonstrating to them how to pay bills online and compare bill prices using reputable comparison sites. 
• Supporting them  to apply for welfare benefits or hardship grants. 
• Helping them understand the importance of budgeting. 

We have free wi-fi in our centre and laptops available for clients to use if they don’t have a computer at home.

Hear from some of the people we've helped with their finances

Self-employed property maintainer Paul, 55, had a brain haemorrhage in 2017 and was left struggling to pay his bills.

He said: "I had so much going round in my head – the debts were swirling and I was feeling the pressure to provide as a single dad. The Brain Charity being involved was a breath of fresh air.  They made such a difference."

Shirley, 63, has syringomyelia, a very rare condition affecting just 8% of the world's population.

She said:  "I couldn’t pay my mortgage and bills, and became a virtual recluse. I stopped talking to people and stopped going out, using COVID-19 as an excuse. The Brain Charity is a fabulous institution and it needs to be applauded and recognised."

Mum-of-two Mary, 56 is a carer for her son Oliver, 16, who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and requires constant support and struggled to complete a PIP application herself.

She said: "As I got closer to the time limit, the panic set in. I’m so thankful to The Brain Charity, it was a total game changer. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them."

Gerard, 54, had a stroke in January 2020 and lost his job as a fashion designer. With bills mounting up, he feared his house would be repossessed.

He said: "I’ve paid every bill I’ve ever had. It’s the last thing you need when you’re trying to recover. You can see how people get trapped in poverty – once it starts you can’t do anything, and it spirals. I came to The Brain Charity out of desperation. Having that help to get the financial support I needed, pay some bills and pay off the mortgage let me get things straight and gave me some breathing space.”

This project successfully funded on 4th January 2023