Rebuilding a life after brain injury: Mark’s story

SweetTree Home Care Services reveal how adopting a structured, outcome-driven approach helped Mark rebuild his life after brain injury.

Rebuilding a life after brain injury: Mark’s story

Imagine forgetting basic skills—how to brush your teeth, make a cup of tea, or even where you live. For Mark, a 49-year-old man living in London with temporal lobe epilepsy (a common condition following brain injury), these are daily obstacles.

For healthcare professionals, the challenge lies in rebuilding someone’s life after a brain injury within a system where reorganisations and budget cuts are daily hurdles. 

At SweetTree, we believe it’s possible to meet both goals—quality care and cost-efficiency—by adopting a structured, outcome-driven approach that ties spending directly to results.

Life After Brain Injury

Mark experiences severe nocturnal seizures that affect memory-critical brain cells. Following a seizure, he can forget something that happened just minutes earlier. 

During a particularly stressful time in his personal life, Mark’s seizures increased in frequency, leaving him extremely vulnerable and in need of professional care to remain safely at home.

The general home support Mark initially received wasn’t meeting his complex and evolving needs, and the possibility of moving into a nursing home seemed almost unavoidable. Luckily, Mark’s potential was recognised. 

While attending a Headway support group, it was suggested that social services contact SweetTree for more specialist assistance.

Specialist Support from SweetTree

SweetTree’s Brain Injury Service offers specialist care and community rehabilitation to help individuals with brain injuries and neurological conditions live at home with dignity, independence, and control. 

Our person-centred approach ensures that each support package is designed around a client’s history, preferences, abilities, and aspirations—not just their personal care needs.

A Collaborative Approach

Working closely with social services, Justin—SweetTree’s Brain Injury Service Manager—conducted a joint assessment to create a detailed, outcome-based support plan tailored to Mark. 

This plan focused not only on Mark’s care needs but also on his interests, background, and long-term goals. Careful planning also helped ensure a strong match between Mark and his support worker.

A dedicated SweetTree Supervisor was assigned as the point of contact for social services, offering consistent oversight and access to up-to-date electronic records. 

This partnership approach allows us to monitor and respond flexibly to changing needs with bespoke support.

Initially, Mark was understandably anxious and unsure about having another new person in his home. 

Justin took the time to explain SweetTree’s role and reassure Mark, laying the foundation for trust.

At SweetTree, our ongoing training ensures best practice while making staff feel supported and valued, leading to a stable, motivated care team.

Matching the Right Support Worker

Alan, a highly experienced brain injury support worker, was carefully chosen for his skills, experience, and personality. He and Mark met informally before care officially began, helping to build trust from the outset. 

Though Mark remained a little nervous, he felt reassured and comfortable with Alan.

Social services approved a flexible 24-hour-per-week support package to allow the relationship to grow. 

Over time, Alan and Mark’s bond strengthened as they worked together on practical solutions: using a whiteboard to track daily events, budgeting for bills, planning meals, increasing exercise, and engaging with the community.

Fostering Independence and Self-Fulfilment

Mark’s ultimate goal was to return to his hometown, where he felt more supported and comfortable. 

With this in mind, Alan focused on community integration and skill-building to help Mark prepare for the move. 

As Mark gained confidence, Alan coordinated with social services, and one year later, Mark successfully relocated.

“Knowing Alan was there for me gave me the confidence to move on,” Mark said.

Three years on, Mark still lives independently in his hometown with just four hours of support each week. With Alan’s continued help, he manages his budgeting, daily routines, social life—and even enjoys overseas travel.

The therapeutic relationship between Mark and Alan has proven invaluable to Mark’s wellbeing and continued progress.

Find out more about SweetTree at sweettree.co.uk