Headway East London

www.headwayeastlondon.org

Piped at the post by a single vote in 2005, OPS has kept in good touch with Headway throughout last year nonetheless and having been very impressed with the good work they continue to do in the local community, we have decided to nominate them again as one of our domestic causes for 2007.

Headways East London centre, based in Shoreditch, is the only place of its kind providing brain injury specific services for people in inner London. It is estimated that there are 30,000 people living with the long-term effects of brain injury in London. It is currently running at capacity with 70 attenders (people with brain injuries) attending one or two days a week. It takes referrals from 13 of the 33 London Boroughs including Hackney and Tower Hamlets, two of the poorest boroughs in the UK. The centre reflects the ethnic diversity of its catchment area with approximately 40% of attenders stemming from minority communities.

Brain Injury: Brain injury can happen to anyone at any time. Young people with their whole lives ahead of them are most at risk, the most common causes being road traffic accidents, and assaults. Brain Injury is often called the ‘Hidden Disability' as many of the effects while not immediately apparent can be extremely disabling. Emotional, cognitive, speech and physical impairments are some of the effects of brain injury. The disability can often lead to a person losing their job and to a consequent loss of confidence and self esteem . This life changing event also has a huge impact on family and friends whose lives will never again be the same as they adjust to caring for a changed person.

The Place: Headway East London acts as a hub where people can meet others in similar situations, are accepted and can be themselves. People come to regain lost skills and learn new ones, increase their confidence and self-esteem and make new friends. This, in turn, helps them with reintegration back into society. The centre is a place where people are cognitively and socially stimulated. Activities include art, music, IT, discussion groups, counselling, memory exercises and group outings.

The Project: Life after brain injury can be very difficult. Relationships often break down leaving the person isolated and, sometimes, with little contact with the outside world due to mobility, lack of confidence and/or other cognitive factors. Should Headway be successfully elected this year our money will go towards funding group outings and trips for attendees.

These are tailored to their interests and may involve short walks, park visits, seeing exhibitions at local galleries, visits to city farms or socialising at a café etc. The charity has also formed partnerships within the community so that the outings incorporate benefits to the community in which it operates ie Gardening programmes.

When possible, major outings are organised which require an extensive risk assessments and organisation by the staff. In the last year, the major outings have include trips to the Tate modern to take part in sculpture workshops, a Thames Cruise, ten pin bowling and a visit to the Science Museum. These trips have the attenders buzzing with excitement on their return.

The outings are a means to address a multitude of needs; they provide an opportunity to use public transport; a stepping stone towards independent living; they can help increase confidence and help build social relationships. Most importantly, they are a source of great enjoyment and the happy disposition of the attendees will filter through to their families and carers and thus improving their family life and relationships with their friends.

Marcus Fairhurst, Jan 2007

www.headwayeastlondon.org