Visitors from across the world will join an array of global speakers at a major event in caring for young people with brain injuries.
The fourth National Paediatric Brain Injury Conference, organised by The Children’s Trust – which provides residential and community care for children with neurological injuries and disabilities – is to be held online due to the ongoing impact and implications of COVID-19.
And while the pandemic will prevent the Connections and Collaborations being held in person, the decision to take it online means it can attract an audience far beyond its base in Tadworth, Surrey.
The event, on February 4, brings together some of the neuro sector’s leading clinical professionals to explore some of the fundamental elements involved in a child’s recovery following an acquired brain injury.
From its base, The Children’s Trust has worked with 3,000 children and their families in the past two years, delivering specialist rehabilitation and tailored support as they rebuild their lives following injury or illness. It also provides specialist rehabilitation, education and community services across the UK.
The focus for 2021’s virtual conference will be on family, mental health, technology and transition, bringing together an array of topics which have been risen to the fore during the past turbulent year. It will use the latest evidence-based research to share insight into the neuro sector.
Speakers will include, Dr Anna Maw, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Addenbrooke’s Hospital; Dr Meyer Heim, Chief Medical Officer of the Rehabilitation Centre, University Children’s Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland; and Gerard Anderson, Head of Brain Injury Services, Child Brain Injury Trust.
A young person who has been supported by The Children’s Trust will also share their story of specialist rehabilitation at the event, which is sponsored by Irwin Mitchell.
Dalton Leong, Chief Executive of The Children’s Trust, says: “Since its launch in 2017, our National Paediatric Brain Injury Conference continues to go from strength to strength.
“Like many other organisations, we have had to adapt to new ways of working and we’re delighted to still be able to deliver our conference in a virtual format. We welcome new visitors from across the globe, who otherwise may have not been able to attend.”
The conference will be a highlight for The Children’s Trust after a difficult year during 2020 for fundraising for the charity, which, like many others, has been severely impacted by the pandemic.
Earlier this year, TV and music star Martin Kemp made an impassioned appeal on behalf of the charity through a BBC documentary, highlighting the importance of donations on the lives of children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability.
Back in 1995, Martin himself was diagnosed with two brain tumours, which saw him undergo major surgery to remove them, leaving him with memory loss and dyslexia. He has spoken regularly since that time about the massive and lasting impact this had on himself and his family, and chose to front The Children’s Trust appeal in light of his own traumatic experiences.
To attend the National Paediatric Brain Injury Conference, or for more information, visit The Children’s Trust at www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk.
