WHAT IS POST POLIO SYNDROME
Post Polio Syndrome is a poorly understood condition that can affect people who have had polio in the past.
Polio is a viral infection that used to be common in the UK, but is now rare.
Most people who had Polio would have fought off the infection without even realising they were infected.
Some people with Polio would have had paralysis, muscle weakness and shrinking of the muscles. But usually, these problems would have either gone away over the following weeks or months, or remained the same for years afterwards.
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Post Polio Syndrome is where some of these symptoms return or get worse many years or decades after the original polio infection.
SYMPTOMS OF POST POLIO SYNDROME
Post Polio Syndrome can include a wide range of symptoms that develop gradually over time, including:
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persistent fatigue (extreme tiredness)
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muscle weakness
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shrinking muscles
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muscle and joint pain
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The condition can have a significant impact on everyday life, making it very difficult to get around and carry out certain tasks and activities. The symptoms tend to get gradually worse over many years, but this happens very slowly and treatment may help slow it down further.
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Post Polio Syndrome is rarely life-threatening, although some people develop breathing and swallowing difficulties that can lead to serious problems, such as chest infections.
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WHO'S AFFECTED
Post Polio Syndrome only affects people who've had polio. It usually develops 15 to 40 years after the infection.
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The condition has become more common in the UK in recent years, because of the high number of Polio cases that occurred during the 1940s and 1950s, before routine vaccination was introduced. It's estimated that there are around 120,000 people living in the UK who survived Polio when they were younger. Some of these have, or will develop, Post Polio Syndrome.
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It's not known exactly how many Polio survivors are or will be affected by Post Polio Syndrome. Estimates vary from as low as 15% to as high as 80%.
WHAT CAUSES POST-POLIO SYNDROME?
The exact cause of post Polio Syndrome is unclear. It's not known whether anything can be done to prevent it.
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The leading theory is that it's the result of the gradual deterioration of nerve cells in the spinal cord (motor neurones) that were damaged by the Polio virus. This would explain why the condition can take years to appear.
Post Polio Syndrome isn't contagious. The theory that the Polio virus may lie dormant in your body, causing Post Polio Syndrome when it becomes reactivated at a later stage, has been disproven.
It's not clear why only some people who've had polio develop Post Polio Syndrome. Those who had severe Polio when they were younger may be more likely to develop the condition.
Contacts us: 0800 043 1935
Email us: info@britishpolio.org.uk
MEMBERSHIP POLICY
BPF has several thousand members and we encourage anyone interested in supporting the charity and/or accessing our services to become a member. This policy provides information on membership of BPF, including types of membership, member benefits and fees.
If you have any questions about this policy, please get in touch:
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Post: CP House, Otterspool Way, Watford WD25 8HR
Email: Info@britishpolio.org.uk
Telephone: 01923 889 501
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1. Membership of BPF
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BPF is structured as a company limited by guarantee (company number 5294321) and in Scotland (SC038863). BPF is also registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1108335).BPF is governed by its articles of association. The articles explain that there are two types of BPF member: company members and associate members.
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Company members
Because BPF is a company limited by guarantee, it has company members who guarantee to pay a nominal sum of money if the company is wound up. For BPF, this sum is £1.
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The articles of association set out the rights and responsibilities of BPF’s company members; when the articles refer to ‘members’, they are referring to company members. Company members also have rights and responsibilities under company law.
If you have a certificate of membership ‘executed by the company’ or have otherwise agreed to accept the £1 guarantee, you are a company member of BPF. The terms and conditions of your membership are set out in BPF’s articles of association and company law.
Associate members
BPF’s articles of association also make provision for non-company members of BPF, known as ‘associate members’.
Associate members have no rights or responsibilities under the articles of association or company law and are not subject to the £1 guarantee. BPF’s Board of Trustees is responsible for determining the rights and responsibilities of associate members.
If you are a member of BPF but have not accepted the £1 guarantee, you are an associate member. The terms and conditions of your membership are decided by the Board.
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2. Membership Fees
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The policy of BPF is that the payment of membership fees is voluntary. This applies to both company and associate members. When applying for membership, applicants are requested to pay £30 (or £45 for families), or any other amount of their choosing, including a zero contribution.
In recent years, BPF has faced various pressures which have significantly impacted its finances. The Board has reviewed the charity’s situation and concluded that these pressures have sufficiently reduced to move to a voluntary membership fee. The Board will continue to keep the charity’s financial position under close review, and revisit the membership fee from time to time in the light of this.
The suggested membership fees have been set at an affordable level to encourage people to become and remain members.
Fees and how to pay
Fees are voluntary as set out above. Family membership is available where multiple members live at the same address. Proof of address is required.
The membership year runs from January to December. Membership fees are payable by 30 June in any given year. If there are exceptional circumstances justifying late payment, please contact us to discuss this.
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Membership fees may be paid by credit/debit card, cheque, Direct Debit or bank transfer.
Please make cheques payable to The British Polio Fellowship.
Payments methods will adapt according to technological advancements when possible.
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Member Benefits
Members of BPF have access to the following benefits:
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Quarterly BPF Bulletin, including all the latest news on polio and BPF and information on events, fundraising, disability issues, BPF groups/regions and other key matters
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Eligibility to apply for holiday and heating grants, and help with mobility and living aids (via the Roosevelt fund)
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Telephone advice [via our helpline]; and
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Assistance with applications for financial assistance, including welfare benefits and charity funding.
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These benefits are available to members regardless of the level of their contribution.
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Please note that for family membership, all members within the household may access the benefits but only one copy of the Bulletin is provided.
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Member benefits may change for the following reasons:
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to enable the charity to further meet member needs and/or charity objectives
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due to a material change (or changes) in circumstance (internal or external)
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Please note that for financial reasons, members who make a contribution of less than £5 will receive an electronic copy of the Bulletin.
This refers to benefits provided nationally. Benefits provided by local groups (Regions, Branches, Groups) are governed by BPF’s rules for local groups.
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3. Frequently asked questions
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(A) I don’t know what type of member I am – how can I find out?
You should check your records to see if you have any documentation from BPF to confirm your membership category. You can also contact us to find out.
(B) Can I change my membership category?
Yes, it is possible to switch from an associate member to a company member and vice versa. If you would like to do this, please write to us at CP House, Otterspool Way, Watford WD25 8HR to let us know and we will arrange the change.
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(C) Are there any benefits available to non-members?
BPF offers the following benefits to anyone affected by polio and PPS, irrespective of whether they are a member:
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Access to the BPF website (https://www.britishpolio.org.uk/), containing a wealth of information and advice; and
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A voice for those affected by polio and PPS in the media, government and other public forums, via campaigns and dissemination of information.
Both members and non-members may also choose to support the charity via donations or fundraising, and we welcome input from anyone with an interest in BPF’s mission. More information can be found on our website.
(D) Has BPF always been a company limited by guarantee?
BPF was originally structured as an ‘unincorporated association’. The charity became a company following an ‘incorporation’ process during 2004 and 2005. BPF’s members approved this change of structure at a meeting prior to this being implemented.
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One of the main reasons for becoming a company was to protect BPF’s members and trustees, because a company can enter contracts and hold property in its own name and is responsible for its own debts. Previously the trustees and/or members had to enter contracts and hold property on BPF’s behalf and were at risk of personal liability for its debts.
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(E) I have been a member of BPF since before it became a company – what happened to my original membership?
By incorporating, BPF changed its legal identity: a new company was created and took over the operation of BPF and the old unincorporated association ceased to exist.
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Membership of the old unincorporated association ended when BPF became a company and the unincorporated association was closed. Any membership certificate granted before incorporation is therefore no longer valid.
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(F) What is the role of the Board of Trustees?
BPF has both members and trustees. Because BPF is a company, the trustees are also known as ‘directors’. The trustees are responsible for the overall management of BPF, including its finances, and must act in the best interests of the charity. The articles of association provide information about the role, powers and administration of the trustees.
(G) How can I get more information?
By visiting our website or contacting us on the following details:
Post: CP House, Otterspool Way, Watford WD25 8HR
Email: info@britishpolio.org.uk
Telephone: 01923 889 501
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