Big changes lie
ahead for Headway in Leicester. Two major announcements were made
at the Annual General Meeting of the local branch of the brain
injury association on 7 September.
Members heard of a new vision for the future for the Activities
Centre at Headway House, focussing on more space, more facilities,
more relaxation. And they also heard of the impending retirement
of their General Manager Sylvia Davis.
The trustees of Leicestershire Leicester and Rutland Headway have
launched an appeal for up to £100,000 to build an extension
to the Centre in Hospital Close, Leicester, which is attended
each week by some 60 people who have suffered some form of brain
injury or illness. Trained, specialist staff and volunteers help
them with their return to a life in the community after what for
many will have been a long spell of hospital treatment.
Sylvia Davis says “We started back in 1990 in two semi-detached
houses close to the Leicester General Hospital (LGH) with just
me and a team of volunteers opening for two and a half days a
week. We were able to build a small extension in 1995 but now,
nearly ten years further on, we have reached a stage where we
need more space. We have to be able to organise things better
if we are to meet the standards of excellence that we set ourselves.”
Better wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities are just
two of the aims of the trustees. Headway members need a relaxing
atmosphere and enough space to be quiet when they need to, as
well as better craft areas, computer stations and refreshment
facilities. Sylvia adds: “At present we have to take great
care not to fall over one another. With the extra space our staff
and our day centre members will all feel less chaotic. That means
an increased standard of care and a better preparation for life
in the community.”
Headway House is owned by LGH. Discussions between Headway and
LGH Management have been going on for some time to ensure that
Headway’s ambitions did not conflict with any other plans
for the site. The hospital, says Headway, have been very helpful
throughout the process, and offered a number of options. Continuity,
and the imminent relocation to the LGH of the Core Brain Injury
Team, were the key factors in the final decision and a Planning
Application has now been submitted.
Leicester Headway is an independent charity, affiliated to Headway
UK, the Brain Injury Association, which has branches all over
the country. Basic funding comes from the Health Authorities and
City and County Social Services, but many of the additional services
rely on voluntary funding.
The Headway appeal is being managed by Kathy Yallop (
(email
k.yallop@ntlworld.com or on 0116 273 9763) and has already
received substantial donations. “We are in a position to
go out to tender and let the contract for the building works”
says Kathy, “but we still have some way to go to fund all
the improvements we are planning.” She will be delighted
to hear from anyone who can help Headway to meet their target
in any way.
The AGM heard from chairman Michael Switzer of another successful
year, with a big expansion in the activities and services available
to members. He particularly highlighted the new opportunities
available in education. He also announced that Headway’s
General Manager Sylvia Davis would reach retirement age in the
summer of 2005 and that this would be her last AGM. He paid tribute
to her vision and leadership in developing services for people
with acquired brain injuries in Leicester and Rutland, and to
her influence at a national level.
After the AGM, members heard an account of the activities of the
Core Brain Injury Team at the LRI from its co-ordinator Sarah
Monk. Headway and her team work very closely in the rehabilitation
of people who have suffered brain injury through accident or illness.
This release issued by Richard Bird (01327 704734 or
email
)
More from Richard or Kathy Yallop
(email
by clicking here)
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Email:
| Phone: 0116 273 9763 |
