New Headway UK brain injury support group in Gateshead

Headway UK, the national charity supporting people with brain injuries is expanding its regional activity with a new group in Gateshead.

On Wednesday, September 13 a public meeting is taking place at Gateshead Civic Centre to look at services currently on offer and to encourage new members to join the support group.

Headway Groups can provide support, information and offer rehabilitation and leisure activities to brain injury survivors, their families, friends and carers.

Alastair White, North East Regional Co-ordinator for Headway, said: If your life is affected by brain injury or you have a family member or friend who has survived a brain injury, please come along to the meeting to find out how Headway can help you. Refreshments will be provided and you will have the opportunity to meet with others in a similar situation as yourself.

Brain injury support lawyer comments

Fran Mayes, Newcastle based lawyer at national law firm Irwin Mitchell is a specialist in handling legal cases for people with brain injuries.

She said: We are delighted that a new Headway Group will be starting in Gateshead. We act for a number of brain injured individuals in other areas of the country who have really benefited from support and advice from Headway Groups.

Headway offers those with a brain injury and their families and carers the chance to meet and share ideas with other people in similar situations. We are very pleased this opportunity will now be available to more people in our local area.

Every year up to one million people who attend hospital will have sustained a head injury of some sort. A blow to the head, often in a road accident or fall causes by far the most common type of brain injury.

The effects of brain injury are often devastating and can include physical disability, memory loss, speech difficulties and severe behavioural problems.

It is estimated that as many as three quarters of mild brain injuries may go unreported and unassessed by medical professionals.

While it is not hard to identify those who have suffered a severe injury, requiring a stay in hospital, mild injuries with long-term consequences can often be overlooked.

The meeting starts at 6.30pm on Wednesday, September 13 at Gateshead Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead.