Brain Injury Awareness Week 2008

Wednesday 2nd April 2008 11.00am-2.00pm

Corporate Day

Herefordshire Headway held a special Corporate Day on Wednesday 2nd April 2008 in conjunction with National Brain Injury Awareness Week. This gave us a chance to show how we value the support of local businesses and trusts and how their support could helps to continue to provide an invaluable service for those suffering with an acquired brain injury in the county of Herefordshire.

This year we opened our doors to give our supporters the chance to see first hand the centre at work, observe workshops running on that day including woodwork, photgraphy, computer classes and gardening. It was an opportunity to meet the people who attend the centre and hear their stories. Art work and pottery made by members at therapy sessions was available to view as well as a collection of writings and poetry written by members which gives a sense of how those recovering the devastating effects of brain injury cope on a day to day basis.

Thursday 3rd April 2008 11.00am-2.00pm

Youth Awareness Workshop

We held a very special Youth Awareness Day on Thursday 3rd April 2008 in conjunction with National Brain Injury Awareness Week. Youth awareness day was about generating awareness in young people and the very real implcations of brain injury as it has the potential to apply to them. Additionally it aimed to nurture awareness in young people of exactly what those with acquired brain injury deal with every day.

We find that this invaluable and insightful experience at such an influential stage in a young person's lie has many extremely positive long term effects including greater understanding of others, heightened awareness of the improtance of cafeful driving, cautious life conduct and the impact that ignorance of these issues can have on the lives of others.

On the day there were visual displays, films and demonstrations, games and hands on activities, and loads more including lunch! It was a fun and informative day for everyone!

Brain Injury Awareness Week 2007

We raised £2502.77

Sheila Sanders, Manager spent the week in a wheelchair for sponsorship!

How Sheila Felt...

Sheila found her week in the wheelchair hard work. "Everything is reaching and twisting" I am so restricted in what I can do, I have to rethink so many minor and more major tasks, e.g. where to put my handbag for safety." Sheila had to be fetched from her car and then her coat was difficult to take off and she could not reach her peg. As the day wore on she found it so much harder to concentrate on anything. Each time she wanted a file it was such a nuisance and she felt really tired,and her muscles ached .

She found conversations very tiring with being lower than everyone else and constantly having to look up at people and her neck ached. She needed to use extra effort for everything - "I cant JUST go and do something. If I have forgotten to take something with me and have to go back to get it, it is just more effort." Sitting for so long ALL DAY was not at all comfortable and her clothing felt unsuitable. She was very glad of her gloves when wheeling herself around in the chair!

Crowds were a bit frightening and she felt as though she was a nuisance -"I am always in the way! I cant be invisible in a crowd - I am not just another person - it feels as if I AM the wheelchair. At the swimming baths she was aware of people smiling at her but not talking to her. She felt strange. The general public did look at her differently being in a chair.

But Sheila had a wheelie good time!!!!!!!

Monday 10th March -

A group of Herefordshire Headway supporters headed by Rachel Hall, Deputy Manager undertook a sponsored skydive in Swansea.

Tuesday 12th March -

11am-1pm Sponsored Swim at the Halo Main Pool - Thanks for all who supported/sponsored group members, staff and friends on the day.

Wednesday 13th March -

10.30am-12pm Coffee Morning and Sponsored Makaton....

Thanks to all who joined us for a coffee morning and first hand experience of life at Herefordshire Headway. The children from St Marys School, Credenhill and the students from Minster College, Leominster helped to make the Makaton sign language session with Chris Morgan and Kevin Trigg a fun occasion. Kevin was raising money for Herefordshire Headway by spending the day demonstrating the use of Makaton.

Thursday 15th March -

10.30-12pm and 1.30-3.00pm - Taste for Adventure - archery and other activities. Great fun was had by all and our thanks go to Brummie and the staff from the Taste for Adventure Centre for a very entertaining day!

Many thanks to all who took part in these events and of course to all our wonderful sponsors - we could not have done it without you! Thank you!

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HEREFORDSHIRE HEADWAY

SUMMER FETE

SATURDAY 9TH JUNE 2007

Together we raised £2,044.46

Thanks to all who joined us for an afternoon of fun with barbecue, games, prizes, cake stall, plant stall, bottle stall and bric-a-brac to name but a few.Th

Our grateful thanks to all who came to help on the day/run a stall, donate a prize, bake a cake, or donate items for stalls. We could not have done it without you!!!

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Calling all Volunteers!!!!!!!!

We are always on the look out for volunteers to help out at Headway House. If you can spare an hour or two a week we would love to hear from you.

Are you a keen gardener or wood-worker?

We would love to hear from you if you can spare a few hours a week to come and join us as a volunteer, assisting us with various activities in our garden and in our new wood-workshop.

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Membership

Pleae note that Herefordshire Headway membership is due for renewal for 2008. Please lend your support and renew your membership or even become a member for the first time. Forms can be obtained from Sandra at Herefordshire Headway 01432 761000

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HEREFORDSHIRE HEADWAY

SUMMER FETE 2006

WAS HELD ON SATURDAY 24TH JUNE 2006 at 1.00-4.00pm

This year's fete was opened by Andrew Marsden. Once again we were entertained by a fabulous display by the Pilgrims Parachute Team. Visitors could relax in our sensory garden partaking of food from the BBQ (sponsored by H A Rutherford & Son who donated all the sausages and burgers) or having a strawberry tea as they listened to an outstanding performance by the Millenium Brass Band. Or they could visit one of the many stalls on offer.

There were the usual childrens entertainments such as the bouncy castle, splat the rat, John's one handed challenge, hook a duck and face painting by the Morgan girls. This year the stocks were a popular addition - Sheila got very wet!!! Another addition was Pats-Tricks - Patrick Edwards and his assistant Colette showed what could be done with a piece of pipe, a board and a diablo!

TOGETHER WE RAISED.... £1906.29 !!!!!!