HEADWAY CARDIFF. Newsletter. March 2016 IN THIS ISSUE: Supporting People Affected by an Acquired Brain Injury. Batman & Robin Support Headway

Transcription

1 HEADWAY CARDIFF Newsletter March 2016 IN THIS ISSUE: Batman & Robin Support Headway Helping each other at Social Groups New Arrivals at Headway Supporting People Affected by an Acquired Brain Injury 1

2 WELCOME NEWS It seems strange to be welcoming you to our March Newsletter when I am so new myself. Although, those of you who go back a long time may remember me from my first stint with Headway in 1998 to I feel really lucky to get another opportunity to work for such a great organisation. There have been other changes as well with the Day Centre and Carers Support Group moving back to the Recreation Hall from Ward 6. We ve replaced the monthly groups in Pontypridd and Blackwood with more informal chances to meet up. We ll make sure you know about these through the monthly bulletins. Thanks so much to everyone who took time to fill in our annual survey. This helps us to know what we are doing well, what needs to change and what we can do to improve. Thanks also to all our supporters. Your generosity makes all the difference and help us sustain services like outreach which provides essential information and emotional support to around 15 new families affected by brain injury each month. We couldn t do it without you! Rebecca Pearce General Manager Congratulations to Support Worker Helen Jenkins and family on the birth of son, Steffan. in January. Thanks to Lloyds Foundation for a grant to modernise the website and install a new contact handling system. Well done to Veronica Sexton and friends who held their annual fundraising event in December raising 195 including gift aid for our community services. A fundraising coffee morning organsied by Radyr Library Knitting & Crochet Group. Pop along to Radyr Library CF15 8DF 21st March 10am - noon for cakes, raffle & goodies. 100 Club March Draw Winners: 1st Julie Smith 2nd Mo Lewis 3rd Wayne Jones 2

3 VOLUNTEERING Seventeen Years Plus One day in the Day Centre increased to two days a week and I also helped with the fundraising committee when that started up, says Pauline with a chuckle. After she retired as an English teacher, she used to occasionally meet a friend for tea in Llandaff. This friend s son had a brain injury as a student. As the friend volunteered in the Headway Day Centre, Pauline was invited to join in as well. That was 17 years ago! Despite having a stroke five years ago she is still doing full days on Mondays and Fridays in the Day Centre. I know I will have to drop a day soon, but I can t decide which one. I really miss the people when I am not here, says Pauline. Pauline knows everyone and is a much valued member of the team, confirms Briony, Volunteer Coordinator. If you would like to find out more about volunteering please check the website or contact Briony on

4 SERVICES Social Groups I would be lost without coming here. The group is somewhere to go and I know where it is and the people who go, says Sonia Piper of Sully who regularly attends the Cardiff Social Group which meets weekly in Chapter Arts centre. Sonia suffered a brain injury and other injuries in 2014 when her car was hit from behind by a lorry on the M4. Since then she has been unable to return to her job as a manager. Sonia has trouble concentrating, remembering and finds many environments stressfully busy. She also has difficulties with balance and walking. Her husband, Cliff, supports her in daily living. Headway has put me in touch with other people with head injuries so we can talk about the after effects of our brain injuries. It gives me a social outlet, because I lost my job. The Social Groups aim to provide a regular social outlet and peer support for brain injury survivors. Staff and volunteers who understand the problems are on hand to offer support and provide information if needed. If you or someone you know would like to attend one of the groups, please contact Tania on

5 FUNDRAISING Batman & Robin brave Barry icy waters The New Year has started with some very successful fundraising. Batman and Robin (alias Tony Dutton and friend Craig) with their Reliant Robin, took to the waters along with other loons in the New Year Barry Dip. Supporters at the Barry Rugby Club had a whip round to encourage them. In total over 400 has been donated. Tony s wife, Judith, is a regular at the Cardiff Social Group since she had a brain haemorrhage in She says, The folk at the Rugby Club have been very supportive. Everyone knows me and understands some of the difficulties I have had since my brain injury. In May they are also going to do a sponsored hike up Snowdon whilst I race up on the train! Fundraiser, Gill, stresses People are so amazing in their ingenuity in raising funds. All our Outreach and Community Services are funded by voluntary donations so every penny counts. If you would like to organise a fundraising event we are very happy to help you get started.. Please call or fundraiser@headwaycardiff.org.uk 5

6 THE BIGGER PICTURE Concussion in Sport We all know sport is key to keeping fit and healthy. Like life in general, however, accidents and collisions can happen. Head injuries can be commonplace in sports like football, rugby and hockey. News stories such as George North s concussion in the rugby Six Nations match last year, and the new film Concussion, are raising awareness of the need to take concussion seriously. Headway Cardiff recognises the importance of raising awareness about how to reduce the incidence of brain injury. We support the Headway UK If in doubt, sit it out! campaign. This aims to tell people about the risks of sporting concussions and what to do to reduce this. This is particularly important for people taking part in amateur sport where medical experts and ambulances are not on standby. Progress has been made recently, with several 6 sports introducing guidelines to protect players after suffering a concussion. Headway Cardiff has been in discussions with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to see if there are ways we can work together. The Rees family from West Wales know all about the consequences of brain injury. Son, Dylan a 33 year old police man, suffered a concussion whilst playing rugby, followed by a major haemorrhage when he was in the Heath Hospital. Three years later parents Gwen and Graham live in a rented flat in Cardiff so they can be near Dylan who is still receiving rehabilitation in Rookwood Hospital. Brother, Aled, visits daily to help keep Dylan mobile. Sadly we do not see our six grandchildren as much as we would wish, says Gwen, but Rookwood is the only place in Wales where our son gets the treatment he needs. We cannot afford to be complacent with the issue of concussion in sport says Luke Griggs, Communications Manager, Headway UK. You can find out more about concussion on the Headway UK and WRU websites.

7 Rainbows in the Rain RECENT EVENTS Cheque for 137 2nd Malpas Rainbows and Brownies braved the rain in their wellies and Onesies to do a sponsored walk for Headway. Fundraiser Gill went to give them a demonstration of how a helmet can protect your head from damage. The girls enjoyed the excitement of doing the walk even in the rain and were keen to know more about Headway and brain injury. Brainy Friends Brainy Friends go to Barry Island There is nothing like a day beside the sea to lift spirits! Friends who first met at the various Social Groups spent a lovely day out at Barry Island. It doesn t matter if the sun doesn t shine, says Jan who helps to get everyone motivated to go out, There are lots of places we can go to enjoy ourselves. 7

8 FUTURE EVENTS Hats4Headway Hats for Headway Day is on Friday 13th May! Its a simple, fun, and easy way to raise money for Headway Cardiff. Wear a hat (as novel and wacky as possible!) in return for a donation. Simple! Headway Ball Friday 6th May 2016 Hilton Hotel, Cardiff Champagne reception, 3 course dinner, entertainment and dancing until midnight! Tickets 60 from Karen Summer Fete Saturday 25th June 2016 in the Recreation Hall, Rookwood Hospital CF5 2YN Put the date in your diary! Prize Draw 1st prize of 250; 2nd prize 150; 3rd prize 75. Monmouth Rotary Club are organsing the draw, with 100% of the money to Headway. Tickets 1 each or 10/ book. Contact the office for tickets. Headway Cardiff, Rookwood Hospital, Fairwater Road, Cardiff CF5 2YN info@headwaycardiff.org.uk Website: Tel: Charity No