Headway West Midlands

Headway West Midlands began in 1983 as a support group for families affected by brain injury and works in partnership with Health & Social Services as well as other voluntary organisations and has now grown to a point where we have a Carer Support & Training Service, Community Outreach Service and a Social Rehabilitation Service.

Carer Support & Training Service.

Headway West Midlands Carer Support & Training (CST) Service is designed to meet the specific needs of the families and carers of someone with a brain injury.

We have four Carer Support Groups where carers meet regularly to build friendships, share information and offer mutual support, as well as taster sessions from visiting professionals on subjects ranging from relaxation techniques and massage to talks from Consultant Neuro Psychologists.

We also offer training on areas of particular interest to carers of someone with an acquired brain injury for example, ‘Understanding brain injury’ and ‘Coping with challenging behaviour’ etc.

We provide the opportunity for carers to access courses leading to qualification for example, First Steps in Computing for Carers, Personal Development & Learning for Unpaid Carers and the Patient Self Management Programme’s ‘Looking After Me’ course.

Throughout the year we run various different Healthy Living Events aimed at relieving stress and developing good physical, emotional and psychological well being.  These range from Pamper days and Relaxation sessions to monthly massage slots.

We also arrange a number of various social events where carers can come together to share friendship and have some ‘time out’.  Past events have seen our carers enjoy barge trips along the canals, day trips to Stratford Upon Avon, line dancing, Easter & Christmas parties, BBQs, quiz nights, picnics in the park and more!

Community Outreach Service.

Our Community Outreach Service is available free of charge to brain injured people, carers, families and other professionals working in this area.   Our Outreach Workers can provide various types of support, which may be emotional - in the form of a friendly listening ear, or practical - providing information on brain injury, advice, guidance, referrals where necessary or language  support.  The team provides assistance in accessing other relevant available services e.g. medical, financial assistance, other brain injury services, and Social Services etc.  Our Outreach Workers understand the difficulties and complexities of the effects of acquired brain injury.  They are therefore able to support, and/or act as a representative of their client with empathy and knowledge when dealing with other professionals, in court, or at benefit appeals etc.

Social Rehabilitation.

This service is available to people with acquired brain injury that will usually have completed formal clinical rehabilitation (physiotherapy, OT etc).  Many people may still be unable to return to work, but are ready to start to re-integrate back into the community. Individual needs will differ at this stage, so this services aims to provide the opportunity to re-learn lost skills through cognitive and social education, learn coping/compensation strategies, acquire new interests/skills, meet with other brain injured people, understand more about brain injury, learn how to modify behaviour, receive guidance & support, improve self confidence & self esteem, access community activities and avoid isolation & deterioration.

This is achieved through participation in a choice of structured programmes of individual and group activities designed to meet the specific needs of brain injured people.  All individuals receive an Initial Assessment & Care Plan, a Brain injury Assessment, a Development Progress Record and a Personal Key worker. This service is ongoing for as long as the person continues to benefit from attending.

If you are interested in any of Headway West Midlands Services, please do not hesitate to call our Enquiry Line on 0121 457 7541 for more information.