Shine offer a range of useful resources and publications to help you learn more about hydrocephalus, and to help you communicate with others about your condition.
We also have resources available if you'd like to fundraise for Shine during Hydrocephalus Awareness Week, click here for more information.
What is Hydrocephalus?
An introduction to hydrocephalus containing essential information. Perfect if you want to learn more about your condition, or help those around you to understand it better.
Download What is Hydrocephalus?
What is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
A leaflet about NPH containing essential information. Perfect if you want to learn more about NPH and to help those around you to understand it better. Copies can also be posted to you on request.
Download "What is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?" leaflet
Head Pain
Many of our members with hydrocephalus experience head pain. Here are some of the types of head pain our members may experience and different methods of managing them.
Understanding Pain
Different types of pain need to be managed in different ways. This information explains the different types and causes of pain and how to manage them most effectively to maintain quality of life.
How to Manage and Understand Pain
Shine's Hydrocephalus Services
Find out about the specialist support Shine offer throughout your life. As well as supporting you directly, Shine can also work directly with your friends, family or connected professionals in health, education or social care.
Download Shine's Hydrocephalus Services
'Hydrocephalus and Me' Card
Personalise this card and carry it with you to help explain what symptoms you have, and what those around you can do to support you.
Watch this short video for instructions on how to use your card, and ideas for what to include on it.
Order your Hydrocephalus and Me card
One Page Profile
A useful summary to share with the people you interact with which will help them get to know you better, and support you in the ways you prefer. You can print it out, or complete online and save to your device.
Complete your one page profile
Housing Adjustments Passport
Capture information about the adjustments you require to live independently in one simple, easy to use place. This document can be shared with your housing provider and regularly reviewed to ensure the necessary adjustments are monitored and maintained. You can print one out, or complete it online and save to your device.
Complete your housing adjustments passport
'Hydro and Me' Website
Developed by Integra LifeSciences, Hydro and Me is a website containing information about the condition, as well as useful features including a kids corner, and a centre locator tool should you need support with an Integra shunt valve whilst travelling.
Visit the Hydro and Me website
Information for Employers
This leaflet contains lots of useful information to help employers understand how they can support and empower you in the workplace.
Download Information for Employers
Hydrocephalus and Shunts - What you need to know
Does your employer know what to do if a shunt malfunction occurs? This useful printable web page contains health and safety tips, what to look out for, and what action to take if they suspect shunt malfunction or similar has occurred.
Click here for information about hydrocephalus and shunts
Employment and Disability
Our website has lots of useful information to help employers understand how they can support and empower you in the workplace.
Workplace - Reasonable Adjustments Passport
It's not always easy to talk about your health, mobility requirements or specific needs in the workplace but with our workplace passport, you'll be able to record and review any adjustments made, and keep track of any changes required in one simple to use document - you can print it out, or fill it out online and save to your device.
Download or complete your workplace passport
Welfare and Benefits Advice
You may be entitled to benefits such as Employment Support Allowance, Working Tax Credit or Direct Payments whilst you are in employment. We have compiled some useful information for you here and if you need support you are welcome to contact our Disability Benefits Advisory Service for assistance.
Click here for welfare and benefits advice
Hydrocephalus and Shunts - What you need to know
Do your friends, family, employer or social group know what to do if a shunt malfunction occurs? This useful printable web page contains health and safety tips, what to look out for, and what action to take if they suspect shunt malfunction or similar has occurred.
Click here for information about hydrocephalus and shunts
Letter for General Practitioners (GPs)
Want to help your GP learn more about hydrocephalus? This letter can be personalised and added to your file - it explains more about your condition and the health implications they need to be aware of.
Shunt Alert Card
This personalisable medical alert card contains useful information for you, your doctor and any medical staff who may need to care for you in the event of an emergency.
Hospital Passport
Should you ever be taken into hospital, a hospital passport contains all the key information professionals will need to give you the best possible care. You can fill it out online and save it to your mobile device for ease of access.
Find out more and complete your hospital passport
Headache and fluid diaries
A headache diary can be a good way to keep track of your headaches, symptoms and treatment.
Download headache and fluid diaries
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)
In some people, hydrocephalus can be treated with an operation called an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV). We’ve created a new downloadable resource with all the key information you might need for living with hydrocephalus and an ETV.