About us
Ailie Harrison and Stephanie Clark formed the Scoliosis Self-Help Group, the forerunner of the Scoliosis Association (UK), in 1981 to help people with scoliosis and their families. The group started out in a small way with about 200 members, all of whom were past or present patients of Dr Phillip Zorab at the Brompton Hospital, London. Dr Zorab was an eminent chest physician with an interest in scoliosis, and as his work grew a need for support for scoliosis patients was identified and the charity set up.
The group changed its name in 1986 to conform with its sister organisations in the USA and Canada, but its aim of self-help remained. The formation of the British group has stimulated interest all over the world and self-help groups modelled on SAUK have now been set up elsewhere. These groups exchange newsletters, and many members from different countries correspond with each other.
Over the past years membership subscription has grown into the thousands. The organisation is run by a few dedicated staff and with the help of volunteers from among the membership. In November, 2006, SAUK became officially affiliated with the British Scoliosis Research Foundation (BSRF). SAUK remains the only national support group for children and adults with scoliosis in the UK and there are no signs that the need for the service has decreased since it was established.