Get Involved

Membership is open to anyone with a brain injury of any kind, to the carers and family members of individuals with a brain injury, to volunteers and to anyone with an interest in brain injury. For the individual with a brain injury and for a maximum of two carers or family members of that individual, full membership is available. A carer is considered to be a family member who has responsibility for looking after a brain injury survivor or responsible for their affairs.

In cases where this is not possible another person may be admitted subject to the approval of the Management Committee. For all others, Associate membership is available. Associate members do not have the right to vote nor to serve on the Management Committee and will normally pay the full costs of any activities or services of which they may avail.

For historical reasons there are some people who do not fulfil the normal conditions for Full membership but who will be entitled to Full membership.These names are detailed in our constitution.

In the future, others who do not meet the normal requirements for Full membership may be admitted to full membership if in the opinion of the Committee they have shown a sustained high level of commitment to the organisation over a period of time.

All members have access to our Centre and are welcome to participate in any of our activities. All members receive a newsletter by post 10 times a year and have access to a free texting service. Members can access the free telephone helpline service at any time. Members can be assisted to complete forms for welfare benefits.

Membership of BIF will improve your quality of life, help you make new friendships, develop your skills, give you time out and companionship and provide you with constant support.

There are opportunities for volunteering with us. We particularly welcome volunteers who can help with fund raising, volunteer drivers, volunteer befrienders and volunteers who may have a skill which they could pass on to our members. Volunteers receive an induction session and approved expenses can be met. All applicants for volunteering are vetted under the Access NI scheme and this happens before anyone can volunteer with us. You can download a volunteer information pack here.

We raise much of our income from fund raising and expect all members to assist with this work. Examples of what we do on a regular basis include bag packs, raffles, sale of goods made by members, sponsored events, Christmas Fayre.

Members are encouraged to organise events themselves and some have organised coffee mornings, sky dives, concerts etc.A list of potential fund raising ideas can be accessed using the link below. Contact the office if you have any fund raising ideas and we will support you as much as we can.

Just Giving is an online fund raising service which we use. It can be accessed here. Members can make a donation online or organise their own fund raising event on line. We receive Gift Aid on all donations made through this website.

Gift Aid is a government scheme which allows us to claim 25p for every pound any  taxpayers donate. We have been Specsavers nominated charity for 18 months during which time they have raised the fantastic sum of £3,500 for us.We have received support in various forms from private companies and individuals.

Sometimes this comes as gifts in kind our solicitor has given substantial amounts of free advice and members have contributed items for use in our centre. If you can encourage a business to sponsor us in any way please do so.