Local Headway closing

[Stardrop]

Just had a message to say that the Dorset Headway will be closing.  They lost their funding to a NHS/private BI rehabilitation unit who have a very different service.

So sad. Headway were so touchy feely,  they just understood.

[Lazuli]

This is terribly sad. I'm sceptical that a BI rehab unit can duplicate what Headway does. Rehab units, even outpatient ones, impose time limits in that they won't necessarily assist people indefinitely. Headway are different. We were told they would be there for us as long as we needed and wanted them to be. I do hope this won't become a growing trend and happen in other parts of the country.

[cat3]

How sad indeed.  Isn't this just another casualty of the present 'cavalier' climate where the private sector is slowly creeping in and elbowing out the really caring, valuable agencies.  Our local CAB has gone owing to government cuts & they were a lifeline too.

I don't doubt that, in future, we'll have to dig very deep into our pockets to keep our charities alive.....................................   x

[SAMBS]

I'm so so sorry to read that Stardrop, will the cuts never end? 

[paxo05]

Sad to hear this..but it does seem like a trend.

Around us headway branches are either closing or only able to offer the bare minimum of service.

Our local headway is clinging on just but looks unlikely to continue due to withdrawal of nhs and council support as well company donations being stopped . The little we manage to raise ourselves barely covers the cost of support in our area. With other branches closing it looks like ours will be stretched further.

This is becoming a very very sad trend.

Pax

[Matt2584]

Hi Stardrop,

Very sad news about your local Headway, that is terrible news. My local Headway were at a low point a few years ago and I and a few others thought it was coming to a close as well.

The main thing is the government and their unnecessary greed for money. I cannot stand all this money-making going on in the world.

"The love for money is the root of all evil".

I do hope your local Headway or something similar will be able to make a comeback.

It is as if all this love for money blinds people. Headway NEED the money and the government don't.

I really don't know why we have a government in the first place, we don't need one.

I don't need or want a group of people governing my mentality. All I want is to be able to live.

You don't see cats, dogs or any other animal with a government do you, so why have we got one?

We are the only species on planet earth to pay in order to live... 

THAT IS COMPLETELY MENTAL.

Rant over :).

Take care,

MJ

[Sem2011 in reply to Matt2584]

Except for pigs - ruling as in animal farm - sorry could not resist silly comment 😊 !

Hope you keeping well Matty

Sem xx

[Matt2584 in reply to Sem2011]

:).

Hi Semolina, I'm doing very well thanks. How have you been? :).

[Sem2011 in reply to Matt2584]

all I say is PIP tribunal in a week's time,  all morning appointment.  The joy of piglet government!! And we know how much Cameron loves pigs😬.

How are you, not seen your quizzes lately?   Hope you are keeping well and happy,   Matty

Semonlina 😊

[Matt2584 in reply to Sem2011]

I've been doing good thank you :). Hope you have been well too.

I did actually post one of my quizzes/Matt-bats not long ago, you might have missed it and the answer has been revealed so if you want to look for the quiz, don't scroll down and read the comments :).

I have been somewhat busy with my art as well as keeping myself healthy :), and today I got an email from the manager of my Headway asking me if I would like to draw a christmas card! I think it is to enter in a competition.

So that is something else for me to think about now :).

Take care,

MJ

[Elenor3]

So sorry to hear about this...... it is as everyone's already said, a redistribution of limited funds, but seems that the priorities are totally wrong. Some of the money wasted on government advertising, m.p. expenses / second homes and world travel would keep small headway branches going for years.

[Nutkin33]

Thank goodness we're going continue running the Befriending Groups, and Ade, our Volunteer Coordinator seems to be still very committed to us all!

[headchild]

Our Headway is currently undergoing the process of applying for funding again this year. I am hoping they get it as it's a valuable community to be involved in. Very sad to hear your is to close - is fund raising to keep it running an option?

[Stardrop in reply to headchild]

I don't think we realise how much the cost of running a building, staff costs etc. are.  The NHS alternative is focused on recovery at the beginning, then discharge but many of us need the friendship and support of others who truly understand us after that. 

 Things like having a PIP assessment or other stuff, people think we look OK and should be able to work.  If you can do a few hours voluntary work you could do a part time job, but doing voluntary work with someone who knows you are face blind and have memory difficulties who will ask the same question three times in half an hour is quite different from working on a till in Poundland and who will employ someone simply to fold letters and put them in envelopes?  Still, onwards and upwards.

[headchild in reply to Stardrop]

I agree with you entirely.

Although in my daughters case she had no recovery  help as she was diagnosed 'terminally ill' discharged and I was left to  look after her - only they got it wrong. She didn't die but began after several years to improve!

My daughter has found a small community who understand her as they have some of her problems left behind by their BI's. I have always said she doesn't seem to fit anywhere as she hasn't got learning difficulties - but struggles to understand at times until many times of going over things she 'gets it' People can see she has mobilty problems as she uses a powered wheelchair  and has the use of only one hand/arm - but they can't see the rest as she presents very well initially in conversations bless her. One has to get to know her to realise she is 'different' and yes - try getting that across to the PIP people - which she has yet today. although she is in the Support Group of ESA.

Such a shame this is happening though - sending you all hugs x

[jacxx]

That is really sad.

It scares me because HEADWAY understand and help us get better without us realising it.

Trouble is these places taking over will try and do it by book!

Meaning BI people will only get help that some silly bookworm says we should have and as we are not all the same its not going to work.

[DeeDee03]

That is not good news, sorry to hear that, hopefully they will be able to get more support from somewhere soon.

[steve55]

hey stardrop so what you doing now mate? have you found yourself another headway group?

[Stardrop in reply to steve55]

No Headway group within travelling area. We have the NHS brain injury based at Poole , at the moment going to a 'talking' group running once a month locally at the moment. Headway was much more hands on and practical, they mended the problem. Small things become big things when you can't sort them and raise anxiety.

Once a month I go to a Mindful Meditation session run by someone who used to work for the brain injury people, she's really good, but they were cutting things down. I am happy to pay a contribution towards it as it really helps. I tend to get stressed when I can't solve a problem and have to remember that I have the problem.

None BI people just don't know how I feel or what my difficulties are. I can't help feeling that cutting services is not cost effective in the long term as people seem to end up with the mental health team etc. instead.

[steve55 in reply to Stardrop]

stardrop thought id see if you were still around as no post for 6 months.

we had a woman come to us to do a mindfulness session at our local monthly meeting, ithought it was great, so much so, anytime i feel stressed i meditate and i find im a lot calmer.

[jacxx]

Oh no that's so sad 😞 it scares me to think that this can happen 😢 Sending you good vibes, 🧚‍♀️x