As many of you are aware, we have been seeking funding to extend current day centre facilities at Headway House to create a base that is more accessible and appropriate to users’ needs. By doing this we shall be better able to fulfil our mission of improving the quality of life of people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) and their carers.

Consultations held over the last year with our members, their carers, staff and volunteers showed very clearly there is a need for more space. All options have been considered, from new purpose- built premises to a new and larger leased building, but extension of existing facilities has been chosen as the most cost effective and appropriate way forward.

Headway House has a warm, domestic and non-institutional feel to it and is close to the Further Education facilities at Crown Hills Community College, and to the General Hospital — our landlord, and the designated site for brain injury care from 2007.

But space is limited. With more members using wheelchairs, accessibility to activity and social areas is restricted. The proposed single storey extension will increase the usable space to provide a large room for social and educational activities, computer room, quiet room, woodwork room, kitchen, improved toilet facilities and widening of doorways for wheelchair users, including improved entrance ramps and doors to the day centre.

The new facilities will allow one to one support and care within the quiet rooms, improved woodwork area will allow ease of access to equipment for wheelchair users, a large activity room will allow up to 15 clients a day to take part in activities without the limitations of space and movement restrictions currently contended with each day.

The new facilities will also allow an expansion of social events for our members, carers and supporters to maximise the use of the building during the evenings and to bring our members together to meet socially and also to help with fundraising efforts for Headway.

The project is now moving forward at a rapid pace. The Architect and Quantity Surveyor have put together designs and costings for Headway and Planning Permission has been granted by Leicester City Council.

We are also delighted to inform you that to date we have raised £71,815 towards the total cost of £100,000 for the building work and refurbishment. Local Trust Funds have been contacted to source further funding for the work. Even though we still have some way to go to reach our target, we are now confident that building work can start in January 2005.

We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in supporting this project and moving it forward so quickly - an exciting time for Headway in the coming months!