The Fellowship
The British Polio Fellowship is the largest charity supporting people with polio or Post Polio Syndrome in the UK. We were founded in 1939 by and for people with polio and continue to provide information and support to people with polio, their families and health care professionals. We were one of the first organisations of disabled people in the UK and have acted as a voice for people with polio for nearly 70 years.

The British Polio Fellowship provides a range of services including information and support through our information and welfare services, a network of local branches and groups across the UK, a holiday programme and accessible holiday bungalow, outreach, fundraising and campaigning. We have a membership of around 9000 people and publish a popular member’s magazine “The Bulletin” six times a year.

Information & Welfare
The British Polio Fellowship provides information and support through our professionally staffed Information Service, small grants programme, and development of our volunteer welfare network.

We assisted over 3,000 enquirers last year with information on:

• Issues related to living with the effects of polio or Post Polio Syndrome
• Signposting to useful organisations and resources
• Disability benefits and rights
• Interested health care professionals
• Polio vaccination
• Provision of small grants or help finding other potential funders
• Publications…and much more…..

We do not give legal, medical, or specialist benefits/rights advice but we may know other sources of advice.

“Sometimes it just helps to have someone listen!”

Contact: Freephone: 0800 018 0586 (option 1)
Email: infobenefits@britishpolio.org.uk or link to the contacts section

Advocacy & campaigning
The BPF works hard to ensure that the needs of polio-affected people are not overlooked. Independently and as members of numerous organisations we regularly make representations on behalf of members and respond to Government consultation papers. Our Baywatch campaign, for example, is campaigning for action on abuse of designated car-parking spaces for disabled motorists and has recently conducted a nationwide survey.

Accessible holiday accommodation
We own a specially-equipped holiday bungalow in Burnham, Somerset.

More information  can be found on our holiday page.

Regions
The BPF is divided into nine regions and has a network of about 50 branches and groups. Let us know where you live and we can tell you about activities in your area. Contact yvonne@britishpolio.org for further details or freephone 0800 0180586. Visit out membership page for more details.

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