The winners of the annual UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) awards have been honoured.
The Awards include the UKABIF Film Award, the Mike Barnes Award for Innovation, the Stephen McAleese Award for Inspiration and the UKABIF Poster Award, and reward the work of those often unsung heroes who do so much to improve the lives of people living with brain injury.
Nicola Leyland, Film Award winner
Nicola Leyland won the UKABIF Film Award for her moving film titled ‘A Freak Accident’.
The animation tells the story of her son who sustained a brain injury aged eight years and documents the trauma they both went through and his journey to significant recovery.
You can watch the film here.
Andrea Pickering, Recolo, receiving the Innovation Award
The Mike Barnes Award for Innovation, sponsored by Elysium, went to the MyAbility project, a multi-disciplinary approach to developing positive self-identity.
Through a dedicated resource pack, it structures the exploration and adjustment to their brain injury diagnosis.
The joint innovation project was developed by AT Therapy and Recolo UK Ltd.
Recolo’s consultant clinical psychologist Andrea Pickering accepted the award.
Anita Pascoe
Anita Pascoe received the Stephen McAleese Award for Inspiration.
In July 2000, Anita Pascoe’s 54-year-old mum, Ann, collapsed following a brain haemorrhage and she remained severely brain injured until her death earlier this year.
For 20 years Anita fought to get her Mum properly supported.
Accepting the award, Anita said: “I have been inspired by so many people who have survived acquired brain injury and overcome huge challenges.
“We had to fight so hard over the years and that is just not right.
“You should not need to have someone fighting your corner in order for your needs to be met.”
The UKABIF Poster Award was won by Cygnet Health Care for their project ‘Implementing a Study to Compare Diagnostic
Henk Swanepoel receives the Poster Award for Cygnet
Accuracy of Cognitive Screening Instruments: A Weighted Comparison Approach in Acquired Brain Injury.”
Lead neuropsychologist Henk Swanepoel accepted the Award.
The winners were named at the recent UKABIF Time for Change summit.
Chloe Hayward, chief executive of UKABIF, said: “Our Awards are our small way of saying a huge thank you to all the amazing people and organisations who are doing their bit to improve the lives of those affected by acquired brain injury.
“These awards are held every year so we would encourage people to nominate others so we can celebrate the unsung heroes and recognise the great work being done across the country.”
