National charity which provides a wide range of support and guidance to amputees and their families has launched a new monthly drop-in support session for people across Hull and the East Riding.
The Limbless Association is a user-led charity which has been established for more than three decades, working to offer support to people of all ages living with congenital or acquired limb-loss. It’s services provide support, assistance and information to individuals, carers, family and friends, anyone who has had, or is about to have an amputation.
The charity aims to ensure that ‘no amputee need cope alone’, a commitment which saw it establish its first regional ‘Support and Connect Hub’ in Essex in 2018, offering monthly informal information and support drop-in sessions.
That model has proved successful and is now being introduced in Hull, Manchester and Bristol. Hull’s will be based at the Artificial Limb Unit in Sykes Street.
Debbie Bent , CEO of the Limbless Association said: “As a user led organisation we are passionate about delivering our services to support all amputees whatever their stage of limb-loss. There is an increasing demand for our support.
“This is an exciting development in the Hull and East Riding area as the Hub will provide an informal but essential monthly drop-in session for amputees to gain advice and support, meet with other amputees, to share their experiences and take part in a therapeutic taster sessions.
“It will be an inclusive, positive and supportive environment and one in which we can introduce people to the many services we provide, from help with benefits advice and legal support to our Volunteer Visitor Network, which is a free service provided by our hundreds of members who are willing to share their experience of limb-loss.
“By offering their acquired empathy and understanding, based on their own personal experiences and knowledge, our volunteers can offer insightful practical information and suggestions on the everyday issues people may currently be facing alone, and we know this is a truly valuable offering.”
Charity provides free services from funds raised entirely on donations
With around 1,500 members across the UK, The Limbless Association has relied on the income provided by members, friends, private supporters and corporate sponsors.
It was recently successful in applying to The National Lottery Community Fund and awarded £367,000, money which will be used to further develop its volunteer visitor network over the next three years.
We are proud to be working with the charity to help launch it’s Support and Connect Hub initiative and build awareness throughout the City over the coming months as the project develops. We support the Limbless Association through an annual donation to assist with the day to day running of the charity, and we’re also a member of their Legal Panel, offering expertise in the areas of personal injury, clinical negligence and legal cases involving catastrophic injury and amputation.
Jane Woodcock, head of personal injury, said: “In our work we support many people whose lives are forever changed by the loss of limbs through injury or poor medical care and it is always, without exception, a hugely difficult and challenging time.
“The loss of a limb impacts on peoples’ life at work, at home, and also their social life. When we are supporting people affected in this way we know it is imperative that they benefit from a range of early intervention projects and resources to support them. This crucial support is provided by The Limbless Association.
“People who suffer the loss of limbs can all too easily become isolated, despite the best efforts of those who love and support them.
“We know this is something The Limbless Association focusses on preventing, whilst also providing peer mentoring support and introducing people to activities and other experiences to improve their wellbeing and quality of life.
“We are delighted to support this charity and are pleased to see it increasing its support to people across Hull and the East Riding.”
The new support group will be based at the Artificial Limb Unit in Sykes Street, Hull. Sessions will be on the second Tuesday every month from 10am until 1pm.
For more details call 01245 216670. Visit www.limbless-association.org for more information.
