Brain-injury campaign is raising awareness
Support group here to help the injured at ‘all ends of spectrum’
Brain Injury Hawke’s Bay says it’s all about awareness and support, relying on publicity campaigns to get the word out about its activities.
Unfortunately Covid-19 put the brakes on any campaigns already in the pipeline, says Brain Injury HB liaison officer Debbie Sullivan.
“March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and is when a lot of our campaigns used to take place.
“We had to cancel a workshop, a city-centre stall and our original morning tea fundraiser was canned.
“Then along came Level 2 and it was canned again,” Debbie says.
Fellow liaison officer Katie Hopkins says the group did manage to set up displays in the library just before lockdown.
“Some of our workshops have the biggest impact and many are postponed. Because our presenters were coming from Auckland, it remained uncertain,” Katie says.
Their main March campaign was also tied to international operations.
“The year before we also had the mosque shootings [in Christchurch] so we were affected two years in a row,” she says.
Brain Injury HB, which is based in Hastings, is only a small charity so doesn’t run many campaigns at the best of times, Debbie says.
Covid allowed them to wrap their heads around other awareness work they needed to do. “Awareness is twofold — firstly for the general public so they know we’re there. We can look up information for them.
“If we’re not the right organisation for them, we can point them in the right direction.
“And we’re here to bring attention to businesses and remind clients and their families we’re here,” she says.
Brain Injury HB also offers education inside other organisations.
“We might be working with a family in a different organisation — we don’t have to have the client on our books but can offer education and different strategies they can try.”
Monthly peer group support which includes lunch, activities and a speaker is held at the National Service Club on the last Thursday of each month. A liaison service is also available for brain-injury clients which provides information, advocacy and support.
“When people are first injured, they have a wrap-around service.
“It’s not until later when people may find they are needing more support. Their life has now changed, they may not be able to work or fit everything into a benefit.”
Debbie says some of their work is reopening cases. “A lot fall off the radar — they may need reconnecting to ACC. It might be a claim or information on what can be provided — it’s always worth having a look.”
Katie says sometimes people with brain injuries don’t want to know their organisation, but families may want to reach out for help.
“Not everyone wants a group setting, others thrive on it.”
Brain Injury HB offers the Concussion in Schools programme plus other educational workshops at community events, including collaborating with Roadsafe HB.
It also offers one-on-one support and does a lot of work with the Community Probation Service.
“We cover all ends of the spectrum including sport-injury disorientation, anxiety around feeling better, queries around why they believe their doctor isn’t doing anything to help and severe life-altering injuries.”
For more information about Brain Injury HB visit braininjuryhb.org or email support@braininjuryhb.co.nz
We had to cancel a workshop, a citycentre stall and our original morning tea fundraiser was canned. Then along came Level 2 and it was canned again.
Debbie Sullivan Brain Injury Hawke’s Bay