Introduction
For people with brain injury, their families and carers, Headway has been a valuable source of help, information and support within North Staffordshire since the mid-1980s. The overall aim is to help improve the quality of life of the members by maximising opportunities and choices for them whilst giving respite to their families. The approach to this is participative, with members, families, our staff and volunteers working together.
Members begin the often lengthy process of improving self-esteem and of re-involvement in the community. Headway North Staffordshire enables them to leave their homes and enter into an environment where they can learn, relearn and practice transferable skills, as well as enjoy their time socialising and participating in leisure activities in the company of others.
Headway provides a non-threatening and enjoyable atmosphere where there is peer support and understanding of their needs. Headway recognises the individual needs of the person and aims to help them to readjust to their new situation and to move forward in the most appropriate way. The process of readjustment in some cases takes place slowly, even over a number of years.
Vision, Mission and Strategy
Our vision is of a future in which people affected by acquired brain injury receive all the care and support they need and can regain their quality of life.
Our mission is to do what we can to achieve this, working with those affected, their families, healthcare professionals and statutory providers, in our geographical area (North Staffordshire).
Our Strategic Plan 2025/6 – 2027/8 outlines our trustees’ plans for the charity over a three year period and highlights eights crucial strategic goals. This document is available to download in PDF format here.
Headway North Staffordshire also promotes a wider understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provides information, support and services to people with brain injury, their families, carers and friends and professionals concerned with brain injury. We aim to:
- Increase awareness and understanding of brain injury and its consequence.
- Provide information and support for people with brain injuries, as well as their families, carers and relevant professionals.
- Offer a friendly, understanding environment where everyone feels they belong.
- Have safety as a priority; no matter what the activity, no matter where we work, we are determined to keep our clients safe.
At Headway, we look at the ability, not the disability.
Headway North Staffordshire is a registered charity and you can find more information at the Charity Commission here.
History
In 1985, three Occupational Therapists from North Staffs Hospital were drawn together by the lack of services for survivors of brain injury. They arranged meetings for survivors and their families on a monthly basis and this was the start of Headway North Staffs.
As the need for more support became apparent, the monthly meetings became weekly day sessions. The demand for this service was such that the following years brought about several rented venue changes, and a gradual increase to five full days per week.
In 1999, the National Lottery funding enabled us to purchase premises, Headway House, in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent. This considerable increase in space meant better facilities, and has broadened the scope of opportunity available to all our attending service users.
Although affiliated with Headway UK all branches and groups are responsible for securing their own funding.
With an increased need for support for stroke related brain injuries we expanded our referal policies to allow us to support even more people.
For information on brain injury and our services look to the menu above for more details.
Patrons
Dr Lorraine King
I was honoured and very chuffed to be asked to act as Patron for Headway North Staffs/Stoke in 2022 as this sit in my patch for my NHS work as a consultant clinical neuropsychologist. I have acted as patron ever since, and look forward to the annual AGM to offer an opportunity to touch base with everyone doing such a vital job, nd to hear about the news and successes of the past year.
I therefore get an insider’s view (through my many NHS clients who attend Headway) about the absolutely amazing service to survivors they provide to survivors of acquired brain injury and their families in this area.
Help with applying for benefits, support worker input, therapeutic groups, social events, and more recently on-site rehabilitation services (neurophysiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling, speech and language therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation) are just some of the services that can help to change lives and support families.
I get the opportunity to work with many people who have suffered a brain injury or other neurological condition in this area, and it’s so gratifying to be able to point people in the direction of Headway for support and to meet other people who have been through the same thing. The work here is going strong and seems to be building and growing each year, and I’m very happy to be Patron of this very special place.
Mr Edward Goacher
Mr Edward Goacher is a specialist trainee in Neurosurgery in the Yorkshire deanery. He qualified as a doctor in 2017 from the University of Leeds and began his specialist neurosurgical training in 2019. Mr Goacher’s training incorporates all aspects of neurosurgery, in both adult and paediatric patients. In addition to his clinical work, he continues to publish numerous peer-reviewed articles on topics including both cranial and spinal neurosurgery, presenting many of these both nationally and internationally. He takes an active interest in medical education, both with undergraduate medical students and postgraduate junior colleagues.
Mr Goacher’s passionate support for headway is driven from both a personal and a professional perspective, having first hand experience of caring for family members with acquired brain injuries. This unique perspective facilities a comprehensive understanding of how crucial headways services are to patients and their relatives in not just coming to grips with such brain injuries, but also in recovering and adapting to life with an acquired brain injury.
Outside of neurosurgery, Mr Goacher is a keen sportsman with particular interests in rugby and cricket. He also enjoys travelling and cooking, although he is yet the master the art of baking!
Trustees
Headway North Staffordshire is a registered charity and has, at the top, a group of trustees, volunteers, who are responsible for:
- Protecting HNS’s values and mission.
- Deciding on the direction and structure of HNS.
- Ensuring that HNS is efficient, effective and transparent.
- Ensuring HNS’s trustee board is efficient, effective and transparent.
They meet regularly to discuss our progress and future. Their decisions are passed on to the paid staff who then put their plans into operation.
Our current trustees are:
- Michelle Gunnery (Treasurer)
- Joanne Landers (Chair)
- Becca Clayton
- Donna Lawton
- Michael Hardacre
- Sarah Tudor-Ansell
If you are interested in becoming a trustee at HNS then contact us for an informal discussion. To see more information about HNS held by the Charity Commission, click here.
Who’s who: Staff at Headway North Staffs
You can see all the team members at our staff gallery page.
Our Supporters
Headway North Staffs would like to thank all the grant funders who give money that allows us to run projects, buy equipment and keep our centre operating.
To learn more about our generous supporters, visit our thank you page.