Calvert Reconnections is an intensive acquired brain injury (ABI) rehab centre which combines traditional inter-disciplinary clinical therapies and physical activity in the outdoors. The residential centre, on the outskirts of Keswick in the Lake District, opens next spring and can accommodate up to 10 participants at any given time. Centre director Sean Day said: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached the stage where we are now taking referrals. “Our focus will be on delivering clinical therapies alongside experienced activity instructors utilising challenging outdoor activities to support individuals in their recovery from brain injury.”

Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research (SMSR) has announced its new research grants programme, which is focused on four key areas:

• Neuropathic pain
• Pressure ulcers
• Urinary tract infection
• Assistive technology primarily for upper limb function

A study published recently revealed new evidence linking a single traumatic brain injury (TBI) with increased dementia risk. Scientists visualised “tangles” or clumps of the protein tau – associated with the onset of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia - in people who had experienced a moderate to severe TBI 18 to 35 years earlier. The study was small and early-stage, with only 21 brain injury cases and 11 healthy individuals studied.

Kinderkey Healthcare’s Bearhugzzz bed was initially created to help a young man who had never been able to sleep without a protective helmet. His mother approached the safe sleeping solutions company and – 17 years later – the product is used by children and adults with a wide range of conditions and challenges. The original brief was to create something strong enough to cope with the man’s vigorous movements associated with his condition. Yet it also had to be soft enough to keep him safe from injury.

When Emily Goodall set up BundleBean in 2011, she wanted to design a new, high-functioning nursery product that would make life easier for mums. In the process, however, she stumbled on an entirely unexpected market. Emily noticed a demand from parents of children living with disabilities. There was a clear need for a universal, affordable wheelchair cover which would give young people the freedom to get out and about in the unpredictable British weather.