SpineCare Foundation

Our Initiatives

The SpineCare Foundation is a division of Northcott committed to funding research and educational initiatives that support children with spinal cord injury or dysfunction and their families.

The Foundation’s initiatives include:

• Coordinating educational activities to share knowledge about spinal cord injury and dysfunction in children
• Awarding tertiary scholarships for students who use wheelchairs
• Funding Masters, PhD and postdoctoral research projects to increase the body of knowledge on paediatric spinal cord injury and dysfunction.

Research

SpineCare is currently supporting two PhD projects in partnership with Western Sydney University;

• Using proven cognitive strategies to improve outcomes for children with spinal cord injury or disease.
• Transitioning children with spinal cord injury or disease to adult services using a peer support model.

Gathering insights

Our most important stakeholders are consumers impacted by spinal cord injury or dysfunction, be that through personal experience or the experience of caring for a child with spinal cord injury. In 2020, SpineCare, in partnership with Ability Forum, embarked on a market research project to gather first hand experiences about childhood spinal cord injury or dysfunction. The aim was to better inform current projects and future planning. Experiences were sought from parents and children impacted by childhood spinal cord injury or dysfunction, as well as a broader group of stakeholders including carers of children or adults who experienced their disability in childhood. Findings from the research will be used to shape SpineCare’s future activities.

Scholarship Opportunities

Each year Northcott and The SpineCare Foundation proudly administer a suite of scholarship offerings.

Find out more