A Headway group has secured six-figure funding to help it launch a new project to support brain injury survivors and their families after discharge from hospital.
Headway Derby has been awarded £239,431 from the National Lottery to help develop its life-changing work in the community with those affected by brain injury.
The organisation is looking to use the funding to develop its Steps Ahead project, which will focus on delivering one-to-one support to
brain injury survivors to help them relearn life skills and reintegrate them into the community through employment and volunteering opportunities, enabling them to lead independent and meaningful lives following their injuries.
At its core, Steps Ahead will help brain injury survivors improve their confidence, self esteem and mental and physical wellbeing, while also providing coping strategies in order to build resilience and opportunities to increase their economic and social activity.
The project will also support the families of survivors by providing advice and guidance on practical issues such as claiming welfare benefits, as well as emotional support from peers.
Emma Morris, service manager at Headway Derby, said: “Following a brain injury, a person’s life can be turned upside down.
“Their independence, relationships, friendships and career all changed in an instant. For many of these people, after they’ve been discharged from hospital they have no where to turn to and no support network in place.
“Our revolutionary project, Steps Ahead, is designed to bridge the gap between hospital discharge and community support, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks and that every person affected by brain injury across Derbyshire has access to timely and appropriate support.”
Headway Derby has been supporting brain injury survivors and their loved ones for almost three decades, with initiatives and support services such as Inspirational Women, a women’s weekly peer support group, through one-to-one mentoring in the community.
Emma said the National Lottery funding will make a significant positive impact on the work of the group.
“Put simply, this money will change lives. It will make a real difference to people’s lives that have been devastated by brain injury across our community in Derbyshire,” she said.
