Injury Expert Welcomes Move

Second Chance Headway, based in Wakefield has thanked the Leeds and West Riding Medico-Legal Society for a donation of £5,000 to help with their allotment project which supports individuals with brain injuries.

Second Chance Headway, is the only full time centre for adults with acquired brain injuries in Yorkshire, providing support for brain injured people and their families. The donation means the brain injury charity can now expand their allotment project which builds clients’ self-esteem and confidence to help improve their everyday lives away from the centre and help them try new things.

Funds were raised at the Leeds and West Riding Medico-Legal Society Ball and an additional donation from the Society put the grand total up to £5,000. The donation will be put to excellent use both on the allotment project and on the charity's overall aims and activities.

Jane Horton, Director of Second Chance Headway Centre and Head of the Serious Injury Team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in Leeds, said: “As a Director of the charity but also as a Solicitor who represents clients who have suffered life changing brain injuries, I am delighted that Second Chance Headway will benefit from the fund raising. 

“The aims and objectives of Second Chance Headway have a real relevance to members of the Society and it is great that they have been able to provide this substantial sum to further the aims of the charity.”

Andrew Axon, Barrister at Park Lane Plowden Chambers in Leeds and President of the Leeds and West Riding Medico-Legal Society said: "Second Chance Headway in Wakefield provides fantastic support and activities both at their Almshouse Lane base but also through outside activities in particular the allotment project.  It was really nice to meet Andrew and Mick, members of Second Chance Headway, and I was struck by how valuable the allotment project is.” 

Peter Morse, Director of Services at the charity, commented: “Second Chance Headway offers our members a variety of activities that are client-centred. We gave our members the opportunity to inform us ideas for additional activities.  The use of an allotment space was at the top of the list,  members are now able to do some gardening and utilise extra skills such as planning, co-ordination and organisation.

“The project has proved so popular we are now in the process for looking for a larger allotment space and the donation from the Leeds and West Riding Medico-Legal Society has given us the opportunity to fund this.”