Started in October 2021, Better Together provides free support to brain injury patients at the Royal London Hospital. Our expert Casework team is on hand to deliver specialist advice and information to survivors and their loved ones, offering reassurance about the practical and personal issues in the early stages of care and rehabilitation following brain injury.
Key to the delivery and success of this work is our Peer Support Worker, Dean Harding, who brings lived experience and personal insight to those in need and is present on the ward to make bedside visits upon request.
Dean reflects: “When I was in the critical early stages of my recovery there was no one to tell me or my loved ones how the injury would affect my life. I am in a unique position to be able to share my experiences and advice, and I’m looking forward to getting into The Royal London Hospital and connecting with people when they need it most”.
Having a brain injury affects the whole family, and, sadly, patients are often discharged with more questions than answers. Treating the medical aspects of a brain injury is just the beginning, and our team will be there to help individuals negotiate the health & social care system, explore benefits entitlements and signpost to other specialist services so they can feel confident and better equipped on this new journey.
The Better Together project is sponsored by solicitors Bolt Burdon Kemp (BBK) and we really grateful to Ipek Tugcu, Senior Associate at BBK, who joined our team as mentor of Dean.
“I represent brain injury survivors and work closely with Headway East London, as a mentor to Dean. Having a brain injury affects the whole family, and patients can often be discharged with more questions than answers. Our project will provide face-to-face advice and information about the practical issues of surviving a brain injury, offering patients and their loved ones reassurance and information about support services that exist once they’re home”.
For more information about this service, download our leaflet or contact casework@headwayeastlondon.org.
