Sylvia Davis, who started with Leicester Headway in 1990, retired at the end of March.

Sylvia became interested in the problems of young adults with brain injuries while supply teaching at the LRI Hospital School. She soon realized that discharge from hospital was just the start of a whole new set of problems for these people and their carers. Headway was then a small support group, meeting one evening a month, but when the City General Hospital generously offered the use of a pair of semi-detached houses in Hospital Close, Sylvia took on the role of part-time coordinator.

Leicester Headway today is still in the same houses but they have been extended once and are right now in the process of being extended again. They have art and craft facilities, computers and a fully fitted woodwork area. Lifelong learning is an important element of the services offered to people with brain injuries and the age range is now from 18 to 65. That same part-time coordinator, who initially worked just with a willing

Sylvia Davis and Friends. The picture shows Sylvia just before her retirement, with Headway members Bob Marsden, Panisha Solanki and Tindy Chaggar. New Headway Services Director Mary Goulty is standing at back.

band of volunteers, is retiring from the position of General Manager of an independent charity, at the head of a staff of sixteen experts in different aspects of rehabilitation, with centres around Leicestershire and Rutland, a budget of around £¼ million and 132 users of the service. Headway is fully integrated into the Joint Strategy for People with Brain Injuries produced by the multi-function Disabilities Board, and is a close partner with the Core Brain Injury Team at the General Hospital. It has funding agreements with City and County Social Services and with the Health Service through the Melton Rutland and Harborough Primary Care Trust. But to give its members even better facilities than these funds allow, Headway also has to raise upwards of £50,000 a year from the goodwill and generosity of people and charitable trusts in Leicestershire.

Michael Switzer, Chairman of the Trustees, says “So much of this progress, and the incredibly happy and caring place that Headway has become is due to Sylvia. She has fought long, hard and passionately for what she believed our members need, and it is to her credit that she got most of it. We are going to miss her and wish her a long and happy retirement.”

Sylvia obviously goes with mixed feelings. She says “I have really enjoyed my fifteen years. The opportunities and challenges to be able to use initiative and imagination were one reason, but the main thing was working with an excellent team of staff, whether paid or voluntary. I am sad to leave, and Headway offers a great future to someone with the vitality and new ideas to take it forward.”

Mary Goulty is the new head of the organization. She joined Headway in February from Leicester Social Services and has both a personal and a family background in caring. She is excited by the prospect in front of her. “My welcome to Headway from staff, trustees and our members with brain injuries has been fantastic” she says. “Sylvia has left a challenging standard to follow, and I wish her all the best for her retirement.”

This release issued by: Richard Bird (Trustee) 01327 704734 or richard.bird@tiscali.co.uk
More from: Richard Bird (contacts as above) or Mary Goulty at Headway House.

This release issued on: 08/04/05