Oasis of acceptance for brain injured adults marks 20th year
A BRAIN injury centre in south Manchester described as being a ‘hidden gem in the sector’ celebrates 20 years since it launched this month.
Head Forward Centre in Withington opened its doors in March 2000 as a place where men and women who have suffered a brain injury can go to resume their social life.
In the last year alone, the centre had a record-breaking 866 attendances.
One of the main consequences of a brain injury in the long term is social isolation,” said Martin Casassus, programme director at the centre.
“Brain injury survivors often refer to social difficulties because they look as anybody else, but they cannot do the things they used to do or they cannot answer and behave in the way others expect from them.
“This results in a high level of frustration and anxiety from their social interactions.”
In addition to assisting with social integration, the centre also helps attendees with care management, personal injury processes and physiotherapy.
Staff also support attendees with day-to-day household tasks.
“It’s kind of hard to talk about how I am now because in my head I’m this other person I used to be,” one anonymous attendee told the
M.E.N. It sounds crazy but it’s like being two people. It’s like grieving what you used to be.”
Another attendee said it was a place where they feel like they can fit in.
“This is the only place where when I talk to people they don’t make me feel like I’m going crazy.
“They don’t look at me like I’m pathetic or stupid or a malingerer or attention seeker.”
While other organisations focus on treating those in acute and postacute stages of brain injury, the Head Forward Centre is the only day centre in south Manchester of its kind to offer chronic care.
“We provide a safe environment where brain injury survivors can resume their social life and develop a sense of belonging to a social group,” Martin adds. “Through a mixture of group activities, such as games and discussion groups, they develop social abilities that they can put in
Centre user
place in the ‘outside world.’ So, while they become more aware of their strengths and limitations in a social environment, they also regain some of the social confidence they lost as a consequence of their brain injury.
“We are very proud of how our programme has impacted on the quality of life of our attendees and their relatives and carers.”
To coincide with their 20th celebration, the centre will be hosting a half-day seminar discussing key issues from leading professionals and people directly affected by brain injury.
You can book tickets to Head Forward Centre’s seminar on March 25 via Eventbrite.
This is the only place where when I talk to people they don’t make me feel like I’m going crazy