News

In light of the Queen’s Speech, where the Government set out the legislation it will prioritise for the year ahead, our CEO, Irene Sobowale shared her disappointment over the continued lack of clear plans for social care reform.

As part of the extension works at Graham Anderson House, our specialist neurobehavioural assessment and post-acute rehabilitation hospital in Glasgow, a gym area, family room and consultation room has been built. The work was funded through legacy donations and Danny in the maintenance team spent the week tirelessly building and installing £8,000 worth of gym equipment.

Cognitive–communication difficulties (CCD) can arise as a result of TBI. These include difficulties with information processing for example, understanding implied or abstract content; problems with quantity, quality, relevance and cohesion of conversation; and problems with social communication such as difficulty recognising verbal or non-verbal cues.

Our first resident moves into our latest community supported living project, Mill Street in Liverpool, for adults with acquired brain injury or neurological conditions. Nicola Triggs, Service Manager tells us more.

Every Tuesday, the residents at Osman House, our specialist care, support and continuing rehabilitation service for people with brain injury and complex needs in Leeds, are given the opportunity to access music therapy with Nordoff Robbins music therapist, Lucy Chesters.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, our Head of Estates and Properties, has signed up to the iconic Rolex Fastnet yacht race to raise money for The Disabilities Trust. Arguably one of the toughest offshore races in the world, participants in the Fastnet cover 600 miles, from Cowes to the Fastnet lighthouse on the southern tip of Ireland and back, finishing in Cherbourg. It will take around five to six days of full time non-stop sailing to complete.

We were really pleased to see our work to build understanding of the needs of offenders with brain injury in prisons referenced in The Economist today, Friday, March 26. The article took a global slant on work happening internationally to build understanding of the needs of offenders who have sustained a brain injury, and the link between this and offending.

The Disabilities Trust continues to highlight the link between brain injuries and domestic abuse. Brain Injuries Awareness Month provides an opportunity for awareness raising and advocacy, and serves as a platform for those who suffer from the often hidden impacts of brain injury. Brain injuries are often referred to as a ‘hidden disability’ as they can result in a range of cognitive, behavioural and emotional symptoms which aren’t immediately obvious and often go undiagnosed.

At The Disabilities Trust, we continue to take the risks of coronavirus very seriously, and are doing everything that we can to keep the people we support safe. We are taking every possible precaution to minimise the risk of infection. We continuously follow all government guidance closely, and update our policies and procedures in order to provide the safest and best care for the people we support.

Irene Sobowale, Chief Executive of The Disabilities Trust, reflects on a day marking a year since measures were put in place to contain the coronavirus pandemic, which changed life as we knew it. “Today will offer us all the opportunity to pause and reflect on all that we have faced in the last year, give thought to the losses experienced by too many families and focus on the belief of brighter times ahead.”