Over the years, we’ve partnered with a wide range of organisations to amplify the voices of brain injury survivors and deliver meaningful, inclusive projects.
These partnerships have enabled us to host community events and exhibitions, run peer support programmes, raise awareness of brain injury, and offer vital services to our members.
Whether through sponsorship, collaboration, volunteering, or expert advice, our partners play a key role in making a lasting impact.
We’re always looking to build new connections. If you want to explore how we can work together, we’d love to hear from you!
Ambulnz driver Jamal with Headway members and volunteers outside our centre in Hackney
Medical transport services allow our members to attend our Day Service, outings and medical appointments that they would not be able to attend without this support.
One of these essential services is Ambulnz Community Partners, whose drivers have been working with us for over 10 years.
We are particularly grateful to long-standing drivers Jamal and Marcell, who often drive our members to exhibitions and workshops, providing consistency and comfort for our members.
“We have been working with Headway East London for many years, and we are happy to support its members. It’s great to interact with welcoming people and be around familiar faces.”
Ambulnz Drivers
differently various in different spaces at Westminster City Hall
Arts Council England has played a vital role in supporting some of our most ambitious arts projects, helping to showcase the talent of our Submit to Love artists in prestigious venues across London.
In 2022, they funded Art Is Freedom, an exhibition at Rich Mix featuring artworks by Tirzah Mileham and Tony Allen. The programme also included a film screening and Q&A, where members and filmmakers discussed their experience of working together.
In 2023, the Arts Council co-funded differently various, our groundbreaking exhibition at the Barbican’s Curve gallery. With over 5,500 visitors, it was the largest exhibition to date co-produced by artists living with brain injury, and received 5-star reviews.
The project continued in 2024 with a tour called differently various in different spaces, bringing our members’ artwork and events to new audiences at Applecart Arts, UCLH Gallery, Shoreditch Library, and Westminster City Hall.
“I hope that people will be able to see that within this exhibition – that life isn’t over when you’ve had a brain injury.”
Member
Our Peer Support Worker Dean is mentored by Ipek Tugcu, who leads BBK’s Adult Brain Injury team
We have an exciting partnership with legal firm BBK, providing people affected by brain injury the support they need through our free-to-access Casework Service.
By partnering with us BBK provides a lifeline for brain injury survivors: from immediate support at hospital bedside, through to getting all the services and support that members and their families need in order to thrive in their post-injury lives.
Some of the amazing ways they’ve supported us include:
“We are honoured to support Headway East London with their vital scheme helping brain injury survivors and their loved ones navigate their journeys, starting from hospital and continuing after their discharge home. We have seen, first hand, the immeasurable hope and reassurance that Headway East London have provided to thousands of families, often during the most daunting times in their lives.”
Partner in BBK’s Adult Brain Injury team
Tony, Sian and Megan, members of our Romford support group for people living with brain injury
The National Lottery Community Fund has supported our free-to-access Casework Service since its launch in 2013.
Thanks to this ongoing support, Casework team have reached thousands of individuals living with acquired brain injuries, along with their families and wider support networks.
From early intervention at the hospital bedside to support groups, the Community Fund has helped to ensure that people affected by brain injury receive timely access to advocacy, education, and emotional support. It continues to play a crucial role in the growth of our team and extending our reach to groups that are often under-represented and overlooked.
“The support group helped me to realise I am not alone. We are like a family who understand what each other is going through.”
Casework Service
An auction of artworks by Headway artists, organised by Osbornes Law
We have been working in partnership with Osbornes Law since 2016. They are are lead sponsor for our website, where most people first find out about Headway East London.
They have also provided invaluable help by translating Casework leaflets into other languages; recording Q&A videos with legal advice on areas such as finances, housing, and returning to work; and hosting art sales to fundraise for Headway East London.
Find out more about our partnership here.
Hasna, a member and speaker at our Brain Injury Conference in 2024
We are proud to be funded through the Propel initiative, where our members are developing a programme of training to be delivered to professionals working with people who have a brain injury.
“It’s very important that we are heard and not pushed to the side. In this training, we have a voice and we are included in the process.”
Member of the Brain Injury Training design group
Our member Billy with a patient during a creative session at Royal London Hospital
In January 2025, our member and Submit to Love artist Billy Mann 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 and to discuss a partnership with Headway East London, contact our Director of Development Natalie Clapshaw at natalie.clapshaw@headwayeastlondon.org or call on 020 7749 7790.
