We work alongside our members to tell their stories and experiences through interactive events, creative projects and partnerships.
At Headway East London we support our members to try new things, develop new skills and talents. Our events and partnerships help to provide a platform for our members to showcase their creative talents to the world, as well to raise understanding of brain injury with the wider public.
With each of these opportunities we aim to co-produce activities which not only suit the interests of our community, but also provide new opportunities for them to share their stories with a wider audience.
From 2019 to 2024 we were involved in a creative collaboration with the Barbican as their first Community Collaborator.
This long-term partnership involved working on a range of projects that encouraged two-way exchange, in-depth collaboration and learning.
Our members worked across artforms to showcase their talents, and were commissioned to create poetry anthologies; deliver art workshops; speak on panels; dance on the Barbican stage; curate exhibition community views; and provide consultation on accessibility.
The partnership culminated in differently various, our ground-breaking exhibition at the Barbican’s Curve gallery from July-August 2023. With over 5,500 visitors, it was the largest exhibition to date co-produced with artists living with brain injury and received 5-star reviews.
It showcased 124 artworks by 71 artists with brain injury, and was enjoyed by over 5,500 attendees in just 10 days. A public programme of 20 events – from clay and drawing workshops to sensory tours, cinema screenings and live music jams – animated the gallery and brought the magic of Headway to life for audiences.
You can read more about our partnership with the Barbican here.
“Best show in The Curve for a very long time – incredibly moving and beautiful” – Audience member at differently various
“I have an invisible disability. You made me feel less alone.” – Audience member at differently various
On Thursday 6th March our members took to the stage at Chats Palace for This is not a performance… This is us!
Led by theatre-maker Tiiu Mortley, who has lived experience of brain injury, the group came together over 12 weeks to craft a powerful showcase of music, creativity, movement, and visual art.
Great storytelling, courage, authenticity and a sense of humour were just some of the key ingredients that made this show truly unforgettable.
Through this production, our members not only shared their talents but also challenged perceptions, shedding light on the realities of life after brain injury and the transformative power of community in the recovery journey.
With an audience of over 70 people, This is not a performance… This is us! brought real stories of brain injury to life on stage.
Discover more about our drama group and read our interview with Tiiu Mortley here.
You can now watch the full performance…enjoy!
“It was such a lovely variety and it was so wonderful to see everyone’s performance and hear their stories. It was lively, colorful and moving, and the stories were very powerful.” – Audience member
In February 2023, Headway East London and the Crick’s Public Engagement team welcomed 350 people to a screening of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
This co-created event was part of their Science on Screen programme, and was followed by a panel discussion between neuropyschologist Vaughan Bell, neuroscience researcher Julia Harris, and Dave Mercer, a Headway member who experiences memory loss due to acquired brain injury, facilitated by illustrator and science communicator Hana Ayoob.
The panel discussed how memory forms our identity, how the brain and body store memory, and what happens when someone loses memories or the ability to create new memories.
You can listen to highlights from the panel discussion about memory loss and identity here: How we’re using films to discuss science and humanity | Crick
“I thought the combination of research and lived experience was SO interesting. It is fascinating to hear about the science but also the impact on everyday life. Really brings home the importance of the work.” – Audience member
From March 2025 we partnered with arts venue Jacksons Lane to deliver Spice Mix workshops and delicious lunches to their community of older people in Highgate.
Our Kitchen crew prepared delicious meals for Jacksons Lane’s Broadway Brunches, an initiative that brings food and live performances to supported housing schemes across the borough, helping to combat social isolation amongst older residents.
Our members worked hard to cook nutritious and delicious dishes and to deliver them to people in care homes in true Headway style: warm, joyful, and with a personal touch!
We also ran a series of our signature Spice Mix workshops with community groups at Jackson’s Lane. Led by members Jackie, Dave, Donovan, and Pip with the support of staff member Thomas, participants created aromatic spice mixes and sauces to add flavour to their favourite dishes.
Jackie, a longstanding member of our Kitchen team and local Highgate resident, introduced us to the brilliant Jacksons Lane Creative Engagement Officer, Maxime Singleton, and suggested the partnership!
We quickly realised our workshops could be a fantastic opportunity to connect our communities. Over lively sessions, participants made kimchi, a sauerkraut sauce with caraway seeds and a jerk marinade. At the end everyone jarred up their creations to take home and enjoy.
In June 2025, musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra joined our centre in Hackney to run five music workshops for our members.
The sessions were led by workshop leader Aga Serugo-Lugo, who played the piano and masterfully guided our members, staff and volunteers in improvising joyful music and creating new songs alongside the tuba, viola, and horn.
Some members had never attended a music session before, but they happily joined the group with percussion instruments, singing and dancing. Others who are particularly passionate about music, took centre stage and directed the ensemble, giving the tempo, changing rhythm and bringing the piece to a triumphant close.
The project culminated in a live performance on Thursday 12 June for more than 50 guests at our Headway EATS x LPO supper club.
After the main course, workshop leader Aga, our members and two musicians from the LPO took centre stage and guided us on a musical journey through improvisation. Guests received a percussion instrument (maracas, tambourines, claves, triangles, and more) to join in the process of composing a song from scratch.
“The response from everyone was entirely positive, and I have lost count of how many times I have been asked by members “When are they coming back?” We hope to continue the relationship, with more opportunities to see the orchestra and to have more workshops at Headway next year.” – Music Lead James
In November 2022, we presented Art is Freedom, a new exhibition by our members and Submit to Love artists Tony Allen and Tirzah Mileham at Rich Mix – an arts venue in Shoreditch.
The exhibition showcased Tony’s vibrant and playful artworks alongside Tirzah’s intricate monochromatic landscapes, alongside portraits of the artists by photographer Leon Foggitt.
Tony Allen and Tirzah Mileham have been developing their creative practice at our Submit to Love art studio for over 20 years, since joining as members of Headway East London. The title of the exhibition, ‘Art is Freedom’, was drawn from Tony Allen’s artwork which was on display.
We are inviting audiences to learn about their journey into becoming artists, and to get creative themselves in a recreation of the vibrant and lively Submit to Love studio – a place full of life, fun, freedom and creativity.
The exhibition was accompanied by a programme of events, including:
As part of the collaboration, we did several outings to Rich Mix with our members to see the exhibition and take part in workshops with Mwalimu Express! Rich Mix also kindly hosted our premiere screening of The Magic of Chaos in November 2024.
“Brilliant co-production + radical inclusivity” – Audience Member
“I love doing art, it gives me a sense of freedom and relaxation. Something to get my mind off everything that’s happened” – Artist Tirzah Mileham
In collaboration with Studio Wayne McGregor, our therapy team developed a resource to support anyone who is interested in leading or taking part in a movement session for people living with brain injury or similar disabilities.
Recorded at Studio Wayne McGregor‘s dance studio in Stratford in January 2022 with 5 of our members – Tirzah, Theresa, Ken, Evaldas and Trevor – this is a fantastic resource for groups and individuals with limited mobility to exercise and explore movement in a fun and accessible way.
It is accompanied by a resource pack to provide you with the initial skills to run one-to-one or group movement sessions, as well as helping you to build your confidence in generating new ideas of your own to suit your group.
You can also use these videos to relax and exercise in your own time – give it a whirl!
“It’s really good to get my body moving. I really feel energised, and I would recommend it to anyone.” – Ken, Member
“The aim of the exercises is to get people to explore the breadth of movement that they have in their body – to improve memory, to work on flexibility, balance, and then also to add an element of creativity so that people have an opportunity to use their own imagination and bodies to express themselves.” – Jasmine Wilson, Director of Engagement at Studio Wayne McGregor
In January 2025, our member and artist Billy Mann and Submit to Love studio manager Michelle started a 12-week project with Vital Arts at the Royal London Hospital.
Vital Arts is an arts and health organisation within Barts Health NHS Trust. They work in partnership with medical staff, artists, and other cultural organisations to deliver meaningful cultural experiences for patients, staff and visitors that improve wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities.
They commissioned Submit to Love to support patients to develop creative ideas to transform the patient and family rooms on the Neuroscience and Neuro Trauma ward into an interactive, creative and calming space.
As an artist with lived experience, Billy was able to facilitate the patients’ creative process and use art to spark connection, purpose, and support therapy goals. Like our Peer Support Workers in the Better Together project, Billy’s presence on the ward also helps patients and their families see that a fulfilling and creative life after brain injury is possible.
“This project created an inspiring and reflective space for patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries. Billy was able to spark incredible connection and imagination, and we look forward to seeing how these projects will continue to shape the spaces we’re creating for the patients’ recovery journey.” Vital Arts
For more information, contact our Public Engagement and Comms Manager Claire Stone at claire.stone@headwayeastlondon.org or call on 020 7749 7790.
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