About Us – BASIC

Our History

BASIC was founded by Bolton Businessman Derek Gaskell who suddenly found his world turned upside down after his beloved wife Dorothy became seriously ill. After life-saving brain surgery at Salford Royal (then called Hope Hospital) Dorothy found tasks that many take for granted such as walking and talking suddenly impossible, and she suffered deep depression. For many years Derek supported his wife through her recovery and he quickly recognised that there was a desperate need for additional support for both patient and carer post hospital discharge. This is what led Derek to establish a registered charity in 1985. Derek sadly passed away in 2022, followed shortly by his Dorothy. BASIC continues to go from strength to strength in their memory, helping people just like Derek and Dorothy to recover and enjoy life once again.

What does BASIC do?

Since its inception, BASIC has provided counselling, information and support services for patients and their families following a brain or spinal injury. We have evolved to now offer a wider range of rehabilitation services fulfilling the needs of our beneficiaries including looking after their psychological, physiological, cognitive, social, vocational, and well-being needs.

From the creation of the UK’s first brain injury helpline, to the community garden, café and assisted gym BASIC has continually sort to respond to the needs of beneficiaries by providing access to innovative state of the art rehabilitation equipment, including the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) which is the world’s most advanced multi-sensory system and we believe still the only one available via self referral in the UK!

BASIC believe in assisting people to overcome the obstacles to recovery. This is why we have introduced our very own subsidised travel service for BASIC beneficiaries. Our Electric Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (EWAV’s) assist people in getting to and from their appointments. We have proudly named our EWAV’s ‘Derek’ and ‘Dorothy’ – they are still helping people to access recovery every day!

The charity is affiliated to the Greater Manchester Clinical Neuroscience Centre with high local recognition but with a national reputation for our focus on person-centred recovery but also a strong influence in research and campaigning for change.

Our mission

BASIC strives to assist beneficiaries (and their families) in their recovery journey. The charity specialises in centre-based services for people who have undergone treatment for a traumatic head injury, brain haemorrhage, brain tumour, stroke and many other conditions. Our services also help manage long-term neurological conditions.

How we're funded

We work alongside the NHS and other care, voluntary and charitable health services. The majority of our funding comes from donations and grants to enable us to carry out and subsidise our life-changing works.

How you can help

It is thanks to you our amazing supporters who volunteer and give to BASIC!

Thanks to those who run, cycle, swim, climb, host charity events and donate that enables us to continue to provide our world-class rehabilitation programmes. Have you considered making a one-off or regular donation or even leaving a legacy to BASIC? Please get in touch to find out more!

Where your money goes

Last year our services helped hundreds of people living with life-changing brain and spinal injuries on their journey to recovery. For every £1 we raise 75p goes towards delivering and improving the care and support we offer. The other 25p goes towards generating future income.

Your donation helped Brooke:

“Walking home after a night out, I was hit on the pavement by a speeding car as it lost control under braking. My head broke the glass of the windscreen, breaking both my eye sockets, my left cheekbone, nose, jaw, cracking my teeth and breaking three vertebrate in my neck."

Brooke Trotter

Brooke was in a coma for 16 days and discharge 5 and a half months later. BASIC provided Brooke with the opportunity to achieve his goal of living a normal life. Brooke received cognitive rehabilitation to help with his memory and a career guide for when he was ready to move on.

Brooke now gives lectures on brain injury, raising awareness of a ‘hidden’ condition.

Our impact

“I first came to BASIC 3.5 years ago having had a brain haemorrhage... I'll say Salford Royal saved my life but BASIC has saved my mind. It's the most wonderful place... where you just feel at home and there's no pressure; you can just be yourself. People don't ask questions like, what's the matter with you? Everyone is wonderful and friendly, staff are so supportive. I can't thank them enough for saving my life. Thank you everybody.” Over the years we have helped thousands of clients get back to work, walk and regain independence allowing them to live a full and fulfilling life. ”

Anon.

What can you do to help in the next year?

As you have seen BASIC have achieved so much helping hundreds of service users every year achieving their goals, increasing their independence which will help them lead a more fulfilling life.

As a charity, we rely on funding from our loyal and new supporters. You could: