20 May 2022
Headway is the UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury by providing vital support and information services.
The charity lobbies for better support and resources to be made available to people affected by brain injury and works to raise awareness of brain injury and the devastating effects it can have.
They aim to initiate activities and campaigns to reduce the incidence of brain injury, and to provide information and support for people with brain injuries, their relatives, carer and concerned professional people.
Headway acts as a lifeline providing person centred services to assist people with acquired brain injury in rebuilding their lives. Their aim is to maximise your potential and quality of life and promote independence.
What is an acquired brain injury?
Damage to the brain, which occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or a degenerative disease. These impairments may be temporary or permanent and cause partial or functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment.
Acquired brain injury can have a number of different causes. Some of the most common types of brain injury include:
• Traumatic brain injury (for instance road traffic collisions, falls or assaults)
• Minor head injury and concussion (loss of consciousness of less than 15 minutes)
• Aneurysm (also known as a cerebral aneurysm)
• Brain haemorrhage (also known as a haemorrhagic stroke)
• Brain tumour
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Encephalitis
• Hypoxic/anoxic brain injury (caused a reduction or loss of oxygen to the brain)
• Meningitis
• Stroke
Headway provide information on the different stages of recovery, from the time in the hospital and early rehabilitation through to discharge. Families may be able to access a grant to help with the unexpected costs of brain injury by applying to our Emergency Fund. These emergency grants can assist with emergecny travel and accommodations costs.
Headway assist in rehabilitation and continuing care following a brain injury. Rehabilitation aims to help the brain learn alternative ways of working in order to minimise the long-term impact of the brain injury. Rehabilitation also helps the survivor and the family to cope successfully with any remaining disabilities.
After the initial phase of rehabilitation is complete, you may require continuing care, and want to find out about ways you can self-direct your support.
A brain injury can lead to a wide range of difficulties in day-to-day life. For many people, a priority may be to seek financial support. This could involve getting legal advice to pursue compensation, applying for welfare benefits or applying for a grant from the Headway Emergency Fund.
In the longer-term, many brain injury survivors may want to return to driving, or get back to work or education.
They may also qualify for a Brain injury identity card, which is designed to provide brain injury survivors with added confidence in everyday social scenarios, and ensure they get the right support if they come into contact with the police.
Headway raise awareness of brain injury and its effects throughout the criminal justice system. They help the police and others identify if someone they are in contact with has a brain injury, and ensure brain injury survivors receive appropriate support. They help divert people with brain injuries away from the criminal justice system where appropriate.
To read more on Headway’s amazing work click here www.headway.org.uk
A Traumatic Brain Injury is a life changing event
A TBI is a life changing event. But traumatic brain injury is often called “The Invisible Injury” as injuries (and symptoms) will not always be obvious to an observer. And for those suffering from a TBI it can be difficult to explain how they feel inside. Please watch the video below, where this attempts to explain some of the common symptoms and feelings an individual may face in their life after a brain injury.
In a recent article in the Daily Mail, Goggle Box Star Ellie Warner has asked for her friends and family for donations to be made to Headway – the brain injury association, for her birthday this year. She states “I have chosen this charity because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope that you will consider contributing as a way of celebrating with me. Every little bit will help me reach my goal”. Ellie’s boyfriend was hit by a car, and suffered serious injuries, whilst leaving a pub in Leeds. To read more on her story follow this link.
Here at Williamsons our Wayne Walker is a Committee Member of the local Hull & East Riding Headway and is supporting their campaign to raise awareness of brain injuries, and the effects this can have. He is a passionate attendee at Headway’s monthly support meetings, and he is very involved with their charity work, and thrives on helping in any way he can.
If you would like to contact Wayne Walker, please call 01482 323697 or email wayne.walker@williamsons.co.uk
