Hats for Headway is an event, masterminded by Headway UK, that takes place on the Friday of Action for Brain Injury Week every year.

As Headway Devon’s Exeter centre doesn’t open on Fridays and clients were keen not to miss out, we decided to celebrate Hats for Headway Day on Wednesday instead.

Hats for Headway Day is one of a series of events in Action for Brain Injury Week intended to raise awareness about brain injury, the difficulties that it can cause, and the support that is available to brain injury survivors. Hats for Headway Day is a fun way for people to get involved and do their bit to help Headway improve life after brain injury.

To raise awareness of brain injury and to inform people about the vital work that Headway Devon does in the local community, Colin, Mike and Jerry who all attend Headway’s centre in Exmouth have decided to share their stories.

You can read their stories by following these links: Colin Hastings, Mike Welch, Jerry Sansom.

Brain injury affects over a million people in the UK each year, yet public awareness about the long-term difficulties it can cause is low and many people do not realise that Headway is here to support people and their families after brain injury.

Headway Devon hope that, by sharing these stories, we will increase people’s understanding of brain injury and the long-term disabilities that it can cause. We also hope that if there are other people out there who have experienced similar injuries, it will let them know that they are not alone and that Headway is here to help.

Headway Devon’s Chief Executive, Anne Mattock, explains: “Action for Brain Injury Week is a great opportunity for Headway Devon to raise awareness about brain injury and the effects it can have. Many of the thinking, learning and emotional difficulties that brain injury causes are not visible and are often misunderstood. Action for Brain Injury Week events give us a great chance to talk to people about this hidden disability, and the important work that goes on in their local community. We’re very grateful to Colin, Mike and Jerry for sharing their stories.”

Ahead of Action for Brain Injury Week, from May 14 to 20, reporter Fran McElhone paid a visit to brain injury charity Headway Devon’s day centre in the city to meet survivors

There are two sides to Headway Devon’s day centre in the heart of the city – what you can see, and what you can’t.

That it is a haven for people who share a common identity, a place for them to mingle, laugh and chat in a relaxed, supportive and friendly environment, is evident as soon as you walk in.

But there is more to the 14-year old charity, which also has day centres in Exmouth and Honiton, than meets the eye.

For the smiles on the faces of the people who use the centre only hint at the support they are receiving, which goes far beyond the colouring pencils, games and cups of tea and coffee.

Headway steps in when people who have suffered a brain injury, whether through illness or head trauma, are back in their own homes after hositalisation and rehabilitation. Through a variety of measures staff and volunteers provide crucial support helping people who have had their lives turned upside down on their ongoing journey of recovery…

To see the story in full, as it appeared in the Express & Echo, please click on the picture or follow this link: 2012.05.10 Express & Echo – Fran McElhone Headway special report

If you would prefer to receive a copy of this and future newsletters in the post, please call us on 01392 211822 or email holly@headwaydevon.org.uk and we’ll add you to our mailing list.

The following article appears in this week’s Torquay Herald Express:

A TORQUAY man who took up puzzles to help him recover from brain damage sustained in a serious road accident will appear on TV quiz Countdown next week.

Kevin Banyard (pictured), 55, was in a coma for five months and suffered 29 broken bones after a crash five years ago.

Doctors thought he would never recover from the physical injuries he suffered while riding his bicycle.

But after taking up number and word puzzles as a way of keeping his mind active, Kevin has managed to prove the surgeons wrong.

He was successful at an audition and earned a place on the TV show.

His appearance is due to air on Monday, April 9.

Producers of the long-running Channel 4 show are not giving anything away about whether Kevin managed to unseat the champion on the day.

But they have described him as an ‘inspiration’ for his efforts.

Kevin, of Braddons Hill Road East, Torquay, was living in Barnstaple when the accident happened.

He said: “I was a keen cyclist and used to go out all the time. I went down quite a steep hill and that was the last thing I remember.

“I was either hit off the bike by a car or hit a pothole in the middle of the road.

“I broke 29 bones and had three fractures of the skull. I was in a coma for a while then in an induced coma for four or five months.

“Initially, the doctors weren’t hopeful but I made a good recovery.

“As I say on the programme, the only depressing thing about it all is that I’ve got no sense of smell or taste.

“The puzzles were a way of keeping my brain active and I became good at it.”

He got so good, in fact, he can achieve the highest levels in both types of puzzles.

He said appearing on the show was an enjoyable challenge and thanked those who had helped him to get so far in his recovery, especially Headway Devon which cares for people recovering from brain injuries.

Kevin says the only lingering problem with his brain is a lack of short-term memory.

A spokesman for Channel 4 confirmed the show would be broadcast at 3.10pm with regular host Nick Hewer in the chair and guest Jenny Eclair.

“We have had quite a few people on who have suffered serious injuries in the past and who have used the show as a way to help with their rehabilitation,” said the spokesman.

“It seems quite a good way to keep the brain active.

“Kevin is an inspiration for what he has achieved as part of his recovery.”

Our Facebook, twitter and YouTube profiles have undergone a facelift to match our bright new image, our collection boxes will be getting new labels with a clearer and more simple design, and our fundraising and event staff can now be recognised by their trendy new t-shirts.

Thanks to the very generous sponsorship of Thompsons and Boyce Hatton Solicitors, our sleek online image is also now complemented by some pop-up banners which we are looking forward to showing-off at conferences and events across the county.

We’re also very grateful to Craig and his team at WebEngineer who have masterminded the design process and come up with our new look.

Our transformation is now nearly complete. All that remains to be done is for us to get some new leaflets professionally designed and printed, which we are currently seeking sponsorship for. If you think that your company might be able to help us overcome this final hurdle, please get in touch by calling 01392 211822 or emailing holly@headwaydevon.org.uk.

Earlier this month, Headway Devon staff and clients embarked on the first in this new series of holidays.

Run in partnership with the Fire Fighters’ Charity, who have kindly allowed us to book accommodation at their local respite centre, each break provides a week of activities for six people with brain injuries.

The aim of the new holiday scheme is to provide regular respite opportunities to carers, as well as offering brain injury survivors the chance to try new activities and learn new skills.

The first holiday was very successful: the clients were able to rediscover forgotten hobbies, visit local beauty spots, and meet new people; while full-time carers were able to enjoy some valuable time for themselves.

The second break will take place in June this year and will be able to accommodate a further six people with brain injuries. If you would like to find out more or to register your interest in these breaks, please call 01392 211822 or email myra@headwaydevon.org.uk.

We are very fortunate to have a strong body of enthusiastic and hard-working student volunteers, without whom our day centres could not function in the way that they do.

Our volunteers come to us from several local schools, colleges and Universities, including Exeter and Plymouth University, Exeter College, and the Peninsula Medical School, and study a wide range of subjects from social care and medicine to psychology and business.

Volunteers are a vital part of the team at our centres, bringing new skills and providing invaluable extra support for our clients. Our volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty and are always on hand to run activities, lend a listening ear to clients and help to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the centre.

At Headway Devon, we believe that our time is one of the most valuable things that we can give to other people, so we are very grateful to these students who, despite their studies and other responsibilities, give their time so freely to local brain injury survivors.

If you’d like to find out more about volunteering with Headway Devon, you can read about our opportunities on our volunteering page.

Headway Devon Outreach workers are based in the community, supporting people with brain injuries to live as independently as possible. This work is very varied and differs with each individual client, but work can include personal care (e.g. help with washing or dressing) and enabling activities (e.g. support accessing local facilities, help with housing issues, and introduction to hobbies).

These posts are sessional and flexible but we offer a 24 hours a day, 365 days per year service so staff may be required to work evenings and weekends. Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome and full training is provided.

For more information or an informal chat about these opportunities please call Myra on 01392 211822 or email myra@headwaydevon.org.uk.

To apply, please download the application and equal opportunities forms from our “Work for us” page.

2012 looks set to be an important year for Headway Devon, and we’ve got big plans to improve the support available to local people with brain injuries.

Our main aim for 2012 is to raise awareness about brain injury and the services that are available for brain injury survivors. We plan to do this by improving our marketing, working more closely with health professionals through hospitals and GP surgeries, and through running and attending events in the community.

We are also planning to expand and improve the services that we offer. Our one-to-one Outreach service is growing, and we’re hoping to offer a wider range of activities to people with brain injuries through our day centres including woodwork and IT sessions.

We don’t expect the next year to be easy for Headway Devon, or for the people we help, but we are confident that with your support we will be able to succeed.