On Tuesday 19th May, attendees at our popular “drop in” session enjoyed an informative talk from Laura about ABI week, including the survey results from Headway UK highlighting how loneliness can hugely affect brain injury survivors and their carers – BUT how Headway groups have a hugely positive effect of this statistic.
Margaret and Laura provided a wonderful demo of hat making, then we all became ‘milliners’ and had fun making our own “Hats for Headway”. There was lots of laughter as everybody got creative and this culminated in the amazing results being displayed for us all to see on our “Hats for Headway ” catwalk.
In April 2026, Headway UK ran a series of surveys to better understand the experiences of social isolation among brain injury survivors and carers. A brain injury is a life-changing experience, often affecting the opportunities that brain injury survivors and carers have to participate and thrive in society. Common experiences after brain injury, such as being unable to return to work, losing independence or struggling to cope in busy environments can often result in people feeling isolated.
The results are striking, with 87% of brain injury survivors and 85% of carers feeling lonely. However 72% of brain injury survivors who attend a local charity or volunteer led branch, say this helps them feel less lonely. Fatigue, memory problems and anxiety are the biggest barriers to socialising.
At Headway Central Lancashire, you will always find a relaxed atmosphere and a warm, friendly welcome for everybody.
ABI week is our annual awareness campaign about Acquired Brain Injury and its impact on individuals and families. At Headway Central Lancashire we are always working hard throughout the year, but ABI week is a great opportunity for us to promote understanding, and encourage support from the wider public.
Hats for Headway is an annual UK fundraising and awareness campaign where participants wear creative, wacky, colourful or stylish hats to support people affected by brain injury and of course donate to Headway Central Lancashire. During our drop in session on Tuesday 19th May, we will be running a “Hats for Headway” fun activity! Look out for photos!
On 19th April 2005, my family’s life changed forever.
My mum was on the way to pick me up from school when she had to pull over to let an ambulance pass. After collecting me, she discovered the ambulance she’d just moved aside for was actually on its way to my brother, Matt.
Matt had come off his motorbike.
He’d suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. His brain was swelling and he also had a fractured clavicle and a crushed right arm. His condition was deteriorating quickly, so doctors had to intubate him and place him into an induced coma.
He spent two months in critical care fighting for his life.
When Matt was eventually transferred to a neuro ward, things were still incredibly uncertain. He couldn’t speak, didn’t recognise anyone, and could only move one side of his body. He had no awareness of what had happened to him or where he was.
Matt then spent 18 months in private rehabilitation learning to walk, talk and rebuild his life before finally being able to return home.
Thankfully his recovery has been good overall. But what we realised as a family during that time was how little support existed for families dealing with brain injury.
So my mum set up Headway Central Lancashire in 2010, and for the last 15 years she has selflessly dedicated her life to growing and running the charity, supporting people and families going through exactly what ours did.
Today the charity supports over 2,000 patients every year, as well as their family members, through guidance, support sessions, coaching and practical help.
In 2018, the charity expanded its services to also support major trauma patients. Around 1,300 major trauma patients are treated each year at the Major Trauma Centre in Preston, many coming from across the UK including people visiting places like the Lake District and Blackpool.
The scale of brain injury is huge. Every 90 seconds someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with an acquired brain injury.
I’m raising money to support the charity and help it continue the incredible work it does for families who desperately need it.
Over the last few years I’ve developed a bit of a love for running. Which is slightly unfortunate because I’m built like a prawn cracker and have had two ACL surgeries in the last four years. But if my family and all the incredible families supported by the charity can get through something as difficult as acquired brain injury, the least I can do is stomp around Manchester for a few hours.
If you’d like to support an amazing charity, I’d hugely appreciate any donation.
Our OT placements will be leading an extra Drop In on Tuesday 24th March 1pm – 3,30pm at the Gentry Bar, Preston North End PR1 6PA.
The learners are two years into their Occupational Therapy course at the University of Lancashire and are bringing some great ideas and assistance to Headway Central Lancashire.
There will be the usual staff and volunteer support and refreshments and good company.
Booking not required. For adults after acquired brain injury and major trauma.
We are holding film afternoons at the Royal Preston Hospital for long stay patients and their families and friends.
The afternoons are held on the last Thursday of each month from 2pm – 3.30pm in the hospital Chapel. The idea is for patients to have a break from the ward and enjoy some time with family watching a light-hearted programme or film. Snacks and drinks are available, and volunteers are on hand to escort patients from and to the wards.
The project is a collaboration between Headway Central Lancashire and the Reverend Martin at the Royal Preston Hospital.
For all enquiries contact MTPSS Supervisor Billie Weld – Blundell tel: 07944 993071
🎄 Headway Art Group Spreads Festive Cheer for Neuro Rehabilitation Patients 🎄
We are incredibly proud of our Headway Art group who have made Christmas stockings for patients in Neuro Rehabilitation at the Royal Preston Hospital.
Each of the talented artists behind these festive creations is a brain injury survivor who was treated at the hospital. They were thrilled to have the chance to give back and bring smiles to other patients.
Laura Brown, Headway Assistant Manager, said:
“Over 20 of our brain injury survivors took part and lovingly created their own unique designs. Everyone was thrilled with the end results and proud to be able to give something back to the hospital.”
Thank you to everyone involved for showing such creativity, generosity, and holiday spirit — your efforts are truly inspiring!
The Headway art group is held at every Activity Day session on the last Tuesday of each month at the Salvation Army PR1 7BN 1pm – 4pm.
Easyfundraising turns your everyday online shopping into FREE donations when you use them to shop with over 8,000 retailers such as eBay, John Lewis & Partners, Argos, ASOS and Booking.com.
Retailers then make a small donation to say ‘thank you’ and easyfundraising gives those free funds to the cause.
Please register using this link – just click sign up –
We are pleased to announce we have been awarded a Local Office Grant from the St James Place Charitable Foundation to start a Headway Central Lancashire Choir this year.
This grant which will be used to set up and run a choir, helping brain injury survivors to find their voices. Research has found that following a brain injury, music can help with cognitive function, social skills and physical ability and can play a positive role in recovery and rehabilitation. It is hoped that in time, the choir will go on to perform locally to raise awareness of brain injury and engage the local community.
For enquiries about joining the Choir please contact:
Laura Brown at laura@headwaycentrallancashire.org.uk
Telephone: 01772 791460 or 07583637197
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