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Its mental health awareness week 12th – 18 May and we are highlighting the needs of adults after acquiring a brain injury and a major trauma injury.

Living with a sudden change to your health is difficult to deal with and thats why our sessions in the community and our support in hospital is vital to help people manage the emotional impact.

Here you can also download 2 factsheets from Headway UK which provide good advice about managing mental health after brain injury.

This year’s campaign takes place between the 19th – 25th May and is called On a good day.

On a good day will tell of the fluctuating and unpredictable nature of brain injury, highlighting the gap between capabilities on a good day versus a bad day.

Fatigue, headaches, mood changes, capacity and cognition problems have a huge impact on a survivor’s day-to-day activities, their ability to work and their relationships with friends, family and others.

Liz Bamber, Manager of Headway in Central Lancashire said:

“On a good day will get people thinking about brain injury. However, more importantly, we hope people will change their opinions, attitudes and behaviours towards those who might be having an all-too-common bad day. 

At Headway we help people navigate the benefits system to ensure they have an income after their brain injury prevents them from working and doing everyday activities most of us take for granted. This highlights the daily activities most people have problems with such as cooking, planning, dealing with finances, remembering to take medication, washing and getting around.

As brain injury jury is so hidden it’s difficult to explain how brain injury can have a devastating effect because you can’t see it and because the brain itself has been damaged, the person is changed for life. 

If you would like to donate to help us continue our work supporting people after brain injury you can give through Just Giving How to Donate Using Just Giving

Headway Central Lancashire has been awarded £32,283.01 by RSM in Preston to continue its voluntary support service for adults who have suffered a brain injury and major trauma injury, their families, friends, and carers.

RSM Preston adopted Headway Central Lancashire as its annual charity partner in October 2023 and since then the firm has held fundraising events and donated items including Easter eggs and essential toiletries to the charity throughout the year.

The money raised will help us to continue providing daily advice and assistance including community sessions, welfare benefits support, legal advice, practical support regarding housing and finance, therapeutic workshops, a helpline, and an emergency fund for essential costs arising from sudden life changing situations.

Liz Bamber, Manager at Headway Central Lancashire, has led the charity since it began after her eldest son sustained a severe traumatic brain injury through a road traffic collision. She realised from her own family’s experience that the community was struggling to provide support to local families when they needed it the most and created a bespoke service for patients and their families as soon as they need it, and for as long as they need support.

Liz said: “We are delighted that RSM chose us, they have been absolutely amazing, with every colleague at RSM Preston taking part and donating. The incredible amount of over £32,000  raised was so much more than we expected, and we are very grateful to everyone. This funding will make a huge difference and is vital because it helps families to deal with sudden changes to their lives.”

Karen Musgrave at RSM, said: We are thrilled to support Headway as a local charity and believe our fundraising – which is helping Headway to help others – to be a fitting tribute to Karen’s memory.

An award to honour and remember RSM colleague Karen Christie has been set up by Headway Central Lancashire with the first recipient being chosen in December 2024.

Headway Central Lancashire has received a donation from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation after being nominated by colleagues from the Preston branch.

Headway Central Lancashire received the £1400 donation from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation to help it fund a Talking Group to explore mental health issues including developing self-worth and confidence, overcoming fear and dealing with anger issues .

Nicola Dickinson of Yorkshire Building Society in Preston said: “We are proud to be able to support Headway in our community in Preston with a donation from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation. The work that they are doing to support people living with a brain injury is providing support and services to its members.”