BOWRA Bag: Practical tools to support your rehabilitation journey
The BOWRA Bag is a specially assembled toolkit of practical items designed to support survivors of stroke and brain injury in the early stages of rehabilitation, fostering independence, communication and recovery.
WHAT’S INSIDE MATTERS
Helping people navigate life after stroke or brain injury
The BOWRA Bag is a thoughtfully curated FREE rehabilitation support bag designed for people recovering from stroke or acquired brain injury. It provides practical, accessible tools that support therapy, self-management, and everyday function from hospital through to home and community life.
Each BOWRA Bag is bespoke to the individual, reflecting their goals, needs, and stage of recovery. It may include items such as pens, diaries, adaptive cutlery, and activity resources that support therapy exercises, functional tasks, and daily routines. Alongside physical tools, the bag helps patients understand how and why to use each item, promoting confidence, independence, and carryover beyond therapy sessions.
More than equipment, the BOWRA Bag is a bridge, supporting rehabilitation, enabling smoother transitions from hospital to home, encouraging activity and engagement, reducing overwhelm, and fostering a sense of hope, empowerment, and connection with community and meaningful activity.
Help us provide more BOWRA bags
Every BOWRA Bag is made possible through the generosity of people who believe in supporting those living with the effects of stroke and brain injury. One BOWRA bag costs us £100 to provide. Some supporters choose to fund a whole bag, while others contribute what they can, and together those donations make a bag possible for someone who really needs it.
Developed and designed by Mark Bowra, MBE
During his own recovery, Mark gathered a few practical items that helped with movement, focus and everyday tasks. Realising how valuable they were, he secured funding to create more bags for other former serving stroke survivors. The response confirmed what he already knew: these bags make a real difference.
410+
BOWRA bags given out
Provided to individuals who need extra support at home, helping with day-to-day challenges and early rehabilitation.
July 2026
100+
Survivors supported
Everyone who joined our sessions reported a positive experience and said they would take part again.
What’s in the bag?
The items in the BOWRA Bag are based on tools Mark used throughout his own recovery and found super useful. The tools are used at your own risk and BOWRA would always recommend you seek advice from your healthcare provider or relevant professional.
We have given a list below as an example of some of the contents.
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The BOWRA Bag comes in a simple, easy-to-carry rucksack that keeps everything in one place. It can be worn on either shoulder or carried by the handle, which is useful if one side is weaker. Using the pockets and zips helps build confidence with everyday movements, and lifting the bag onto your shoulder can support coordination and spatial awareness.
”Everyones experience and recovery journey after stroke is different but it often requires significant changes to physical, social and emotional aspects of their lives. Mark’s idea of providing Bowra Bags based on his own life experience is simple but inspirational. As well as offering practical ideas and solutions, the bags are a gesture of kindness and support at a time which is often extremely challenging. This gift is a timely reminder that ‘what’s inside matters’ as people are coming to terms with their new situation and finding ways to get their lives back on track.”
PROFESSOR LESLEY HAIG
PHYSIOTHERAPIST & PRINCIPAL | AECC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Request a BOWRA bag.
BOWRA Bags are provided to help stroke and brain injury survivors in the early stages of recovery. Share a few details with us and we will be in touch shortly. If you have more questions about the BOWRA Bag please contact megan.h@bowra-foundation.org
