Glen Thompson
working on a toy shield. |
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FACTFILE
The greatest number of head injuries and its result in death
and disability occurs in young people between the ages of
18-25.
In the UK each year one million people attend hospital as
the result of a head injury.
The government has acknowledged that rehabilitation following
brain injury improves the likelihood of a person's reintegration
into the community.
Headway campaigns for brain injury to be recognised as a separate
disability.
More
information: Headway House, Gorleston
01493 442994
Tue-Fri 9am-5pm.
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Pioneering courses
specially designed to support and rebuild the confidence of people
left damaged or impaired by head injuries have been started by the
Norfolk-based charity Headway.
The move by
the charity, which is based in Gorleston, was sparked by the success
and popularity of a series of taster courses.
Headway client
Steven Askey, from Caister, was delighted with his course achievements.
"The courses are really good. It鈥檚 nice doing something positive
which has also given me a recognised certificate to show for my
achievement and hard work." he said.
After attending
a computer course Derrick Williams, from Gorleston, typed a letter
to Headway鈥檚 headquarters saying: "The course gave me a major insight
to this new technology. It gave me a view of what has happened to
anybody who has suffered a head injury."
Between six
and 12 people, mostly aged from 21 to 65, take part in the courses
and share mutual problems. The experience of being together has
contributed to the success of the courses.
Courses on offer
include computing, arts and crafts, literacy, music and "a new sense
of self" - a tailor-made subject designed to assist brain-injured
people to plan a new way forward in life.
David Lemon
using his wordworking skills |
The courses,
at Headway House, are available four days a week and are free of
charge. They
are proving so popular that the charity is expanding its base. They
now have a new office in Rosebury Road, Norwich, which is open on
Mondays.
Headway is an
independent charity supporting the interests of brain injury survivors,
families and carers. There are over 100 independent charities across
Britain that support brain injury survivors, and most are linked
to the Brain Association.
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