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.

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.

Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows us to claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated by UK taxpayers — at no additional cost to the donor. If a supporter is eligible and completes a Gift Aid declaration, their donation goes even further.

We also encourage support through Payroll Giving. This scheme allows employees to donate directly from their gross salary before tax is deducted. The Brain Injury Foundation receives the full donation amount, while the actual cost to the donor is reduced according to their tax rate (for example, a £10 monthly donation could cost £8 for a 20% taxpayer).

How employees can set up Payroll Giving:

• Speak to your HR or payroll department to ask if your employer offers a Payroll Giving scheme.

• If available, select the Brain Injury Foundation as your chosen charity.

• Your employer will arrange for donations to be deducted automatically from your salary each month.

How employers can set up Payroll Giving:

• Register with a government-approved Payroll Giving Agency.

• Promote the scheme internally to staff.

• Facilitate salary deductions through payroll and forward donations to the agency.

Further information on how Payroll Giving works can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/payroll-giving

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.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support we receive from private companies and individuals. Whether through Gift Aid, Payroll Giving, or direct fundraising, every contribution makes a meaningful difference to those living with brain injury.