Brain injury charity making Headway 25 years on
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Headway Highland celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and the charity is intent on helping people with brain injuries for many more years to come.
Set up in 1994, the charity provides support for adults with an acquired brain injury and their families and carers.
Some common acquired brain injuries include stroke, aneurysm, tumour, infection, hypoxia or traumatic injury caused by a blow to the head.
Each year as many as a million people attend emergency departments in the UK with a head injury. Of these, about 215,000 are admitted to hospital due to the severity of the injury. Even a minor head injury can sometimes cause lasting problems. Those most at risk are people in the 15-29 age group, particularly men.
Approximately 150,000 people suffer some form of stroke in the UK each year, and up to 20,000 are diagnosed with a brain tumour. Altogether, it is estimated that at least one million people nationwide have long-term disabilities as a result of all forms of acquired brain injury.
Lee Gordon, the charity manager of Headway Highland, said: "We have a support group that meets in alternate months in Wick and Thurso.
"The support group is a great way for people to come together in a relaxed and friendly environment to talk about their brain injury and the recovery journey they are on, often with many challenges to face.
"New members regularly say that they feel relieved and happy to have found a place where they can be themselves and chat about their situation and not be judged. Bringing people together this way empowers a collective advocacy to take place where people support each other and often strong friendships are made.
"As well as support groups Headway Highland carries out home visits, attends NHS Highland acquired brain injury outpatient clinics, provides access to a free accredited counselling service and signposts to other services and organisations as well as distributing a quarterly newsletter.
"We would encourage any adult with an acquired brain injury and their families/carers in Caithness who would like to discuss the support being offered by Headway Highland to contact me on 07767416006 or email leeheadway@yahoo.com."
For more information on Heady Highland, go to its website.
