Our history

Our History

When Bolton Businessman Derek Gaskell brought his wife, Dorothy, home after life-saving brain surgery at Hope Hospital [now Salford Royal] she was unable to do anything for herself. She could not walk or talk and suffered deep depression. After many years she made a good recovery but the because of this unexpected and traumatic experience, Derek was inspired to establish a registered charity Neurological Research in 1986.

BASIC

The appointment of the charity's first employee saw its re-launch as BASIC (Brain and Spinal Injury Charity) in 1994. BASIC is now affiliated to the Greater Manchester Clinical Neuroscience Centre, one of the largest in the country.

Since it's inception in 1994, BASIC has provided counselling, information and support services for patients and their families following a brain or spinal injury.

BASIC has come so far from the creation of the UK's first National Helpline for people following brain surgery, in 1996 to the Ground Breaking Virtual Reality Rehabilitation project in 2015.

Latest

Physical support

We support people that need physical help in a number of ways from our: BodyBasic assisted exercise suite; Virtual reality rehabilitation sessions; YouGrabber and Berkel Bike.
Bill Beaumont CBE

Patron
Recardo Patrick

Patron
Professor Raymond Tallis

Patron

Most read

Virtual rehabilitation

Virtual reality rehabilitation enables patients with a disability to practice real-life situations in a safe and controlled environment, leading to improved physical stamina, better cognitive skills, dual tasking and improved confidence.
Diet and nutrition

A healthy diet during the recovery of brain injury is important and highly beneficial. Research has shown that deficiencies in nutrients can disrupt normal brain function. When someone sustains a brain injury, it is necessary to eat enough to help the brain function efficient.
MS

MS or Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological condition affecting the nerves in the brain and spinal cord
Virtual Reality Rehabilitation
Our centre

We are based in in Salford, Greater Manchester, close to the specialist brain injury hospital trust of Salford Royal.
Contact Us

You can contact us online, call us or write to us.
Great Manchester Run

Join team BASIC at this year's Great Manchester Run
Stroke

A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Cognitive rehabilitation

Many people with brain injury or neurological conditions have cognitive problems like memory, attention and concentration and general thinking skills including sequencing, planning and organisation. This is where our cognitive support programme can help.
CBT

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but is also used to treat other mental healthy problems.