HEADWAY AYRSHIRE
SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH BRAIN INJURY
Gill Sherry
Every three minutes, someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a head injury. That equates to over 400 admissions every day. In addition, over 300 people are hospitalised because of a stroke, and almost 1,000 will be treated for an acquired brain injury (ABI). Some of those people will go on to make a full recovery, but what help is available for those who don’t?
Locally, Headway Ayrshire offers support, information and services to anyone suffering from the effects of a brain/head injury. Manager, Jayne McClymont, tells me more about the charity.
“Headway Ayrshire was established on 4th December 1994. We are affiliated to Headway UK but we’re a charity in our own right. We provide invaluable information, advice and support services across Ayrshire and we also run other services that people can tap into.”
These services include (but are not limited to) rehabilitation groups, education sessions for carers, cognitive education, numeracy and literacy tuition, and memory work.
“It’s important to educate clients about their brain injury, to help them on their journey to ‘the new me’. The big thing is acceptance.”
In many cases, a head injury is a life changing event, not just for the injured party but for their family and friends.
“It’s quite traumatic for families,” Jayne tells me. “It’s traumatic for kids because their family member is not the same person as they were before. It can be cognitive, physical or psychological.”
This is why Headway Ayrshire’s Outreach Clinics are so important to both clients and carers. Taking place in South, East and North Ayrshire, these fortnightly/monthly clinics allow one-to-one time with a Community Outreach Support Officer in a safe and confidential environment.
Jayne, who has worked for the charity for almost 11 years, is part of a small, dedicated team which consists of both paid employees and volunteers.
“Our ethos is to encourage our clients to become volunteers. It’s part of their personal journey. They may access our services and they may try art therapy or other activities… and their confidence grows as they accept ‘the new me’. It’s about giving them empowerment and encouraging them to give something back.”
Art therapy is just one example of numerous activities available for clients to participate in. There are regular coffee mornings and quizzes, plus an annual sponsored walk as well as day trips.
In addition to providing vital support to clients and their families, Jayne and her colleagues are committed to the campaign to reduce the number of incidents resulting in a head/brain injury.
“It was an eye-opener for me,” she recalls, “particularly the amount of young people affected by brain tumours. Also, younger people having strokes, hit on the head, or alcohol and drug related brain damage. It’s not just about road traffic accidents, it’s drugs, alcohol, even basic things like falling down and hitting your head.”
Absolutely anyone of any age can suffer a brain injury which is why the services provided by Headway Ayrshire are so important, and why education is a continuing priority.
“It’s important to raise awareness that we’re here. Sometimes issues don’t happen straight away. It could be a few months down the line when someone suffers memory problems, anger or frustration. A lot of behaviour issues are associated with brain injuries.”
Headway Ayrshire works closely with other health professions to ensure that every person seeking help from the charity has a robust care plan in place.
“We offer community support,” Jayne confirms. “People can get that peer support, and they also get to form friendships.”
During a recent anniversary lunch to celebrate 30 years of the charity, Chair of Headway Ayrshire, Evelyn McNair, was presented with a recognition award from South Ayrshire Provost, Iain Campbell, and East Ayrshire Provost, Claire Leitch. Both Provosts attended the celebrations during which long-service awards were presented to Jayne and Linda, another member of the team.
It’s clear from talking to Jayne that she’s immensely proud of the contributions Headway Ayrshire continues to make within the community. Understanding the needs of each client and appreciating that everyone’s journey is different, is key to providing the help and support that makes such a difference.
“We are not an intrusive charity. Every person is unique. Our services are tailored to meet individual needs.”
www.headway-ayrshire.org.uk
Tel: 01292 618090
Email: info@headway-ayrshire.org.uk
