This year’s sponsored event involves people with brain injury, carers and friends taking part in either a cycle round the island of Cumbrae or a walk from the town and round the bay.
Ronnie Young, Norman Philip and myself are goign to try cycling a three seater bike round the island. Please sponsor us. Every penny counts.
This year we lost around £10,000 of funding and from a small budget that has an impact. We know that every charity is in the same position, and you will be getting many demands on your resources. But we are a small charity and you can be assured that the money you provide will help us to do our work and won’t go on administration or overheads.
I usually provide an example of our work. This one is from our annual report last year. The details have been changed for confidentiality but it shows how we work with people:
Liam’s mother made contact with Headway Glasgow just after her son had been knocked down by a car. Liam was still in a coma in hospital and his mother needed some emotional support at that time. We were able to offer this as well as information on what type of treatment could be expected in the booklet “Early Recovery from Brain Injury” and on what the effects of brain injury might be. We were also able to put her in touch with another carer who had been through something similar a few years before. Liam came round from the coma and gradually began to recover from the injury. His mother kept in touch to find out what type of things might help him with the severe memory problems he had now that he was coming out from his injury. The information Headway gives supplements that which is given in hospital. Liam’s mother was then able to come along to one of the Brain Injury Discussion groups to get support from other carers. Liam’s recovery continued and his mother accessed information in Headway Glasgow’s Directory of Services to find out what other service might be able to support Liam. He was able to attend another brain injury service. However this was maybe at too early a stage for Liam and as his behaviour was slightly disruptive to others in that group the placement broke down.
Liam was able to start attending Headway groups along with his mother. As the structure of the “Drop In groups” is more flexible this meant that he was able to join in when he felt he could and not have to worry if he didn’t feel able to attend. He has begun attending himself, not always for long periods of time, but this has become more regular. Liam’s activities have including taking part in memory games, playing pool, socialising with others and helping with fundraising. Headway Glasgow’s focus is a lot more on social rehabilitation and Liam’s use of the groups has contributed to his recovery in regaining appropriate social skills
As things have settled down for Liam Headway Glasgow can resume looking at ways for Liam to be thinking about his goals for the future.
Thanks for reading to the end. Any donation you can make will be much appreciated.
Oh and if you are inspired to get involved with the fundraising or help out in another way please contact us. Find out more on our website: www.headwayglasgow.org
