The Brain Injury Group has close connections with Brain Injury is BIG, a support group for people whose loved ones have suffered severe brain injuries. Both entities were formed in 2011, and the Brain Injury Group has helped to raise funds to support the charity’s activities through sponsored and corporate events, and through commercial arrangements.
In addition to providing valuable information and a discussion forum via its website, Brain Injury is BIG also provides a telephone helpline and a support grant scheme. The Brain Injury is BIG grants can be used to assist with equipment or therapies for severely brain injured individuals in hospital, rehabilitation, or long term care, or to assist with transport or accommodation costs.
When the Brain Injury Group arranged its first golf day in 2013, the primary purpose beyond enjoying the company of members and supporters was to raise funds for worthy causes, and since inception the golf day has generated significant sums for the benefit of Brain Injury is BIG. The most recent event (Autumn 20015) raised in excess of £7000. That money has been used by the charity to provide valuable eye gaze assistive technology at the Marillac Nursing Home, Brentwood, which specialises in helping adults with neurological and complex physical disabilities.
“We rely on people fundraising on our behalf to provide the kind of service that offers genuine help to people affected by brain injury, and we’re delighted that the members of the Brain Injury Group support us as generously as they do,” said Judy Taylor, one of the founders of Brain Injury is BIG. “Eye gaze technology is an incredibly valuable tool for many people profoundly affected by brain injury, enabling them to communicate. Fundraisers have allowed us to supply eye gaze systems in two facilities in recent months, and specialised shower chairs in two others, and we’re very grateful that al their efforts allow us to make a difference.”
“The founders of Brain Injury is BIG are affectionately known to us as ‘The BIG Ladies’, and they never fail to impress with their commitment to using personal experience to support people in need,” says Sally Dunscombe, founder and director of the Brain Injury Group. “Many of our member firms have heard them speak passionately about the work they do, and we are all happy to support them as best we can.”
Judy Taylor and Lynne Newman, two of the charity’s founders, presented the eye gaze technology in Brentwood in November last year. The charity also presented a similar package to the Wingham Court Care Home in Surrey in December.
Our photograph shows Judy Taylor (left), one of the founders of Brain Injury is BIG, presenting an eye gaze system to Gloria Adigwe (right), Clinical Therapy Manager at the Marillac Nursing Home, Brentford.
