Headway Cambridgeshire has been running a satellite service in Huntingdon every Tuesday for many years, with great success. Delivering this service locally means that clients with a brain injury living in the Huntingdon area can access Headway Cambridgeshire’s services without the increase in cost, time and fatigue that a journey to the Cambridge hub would entail.

A few years ago we relocated our weekly service the MS Therapy Centre in Huntingdon, which has wonderful facilities. The move enabled us to extend and develop the sessions we offer to our clients. The Headway team are able to offer clients a diverse range of activities, which include:

GARDENING GROUP

The gardening group have cleared an under-used section of the garden and planned crops to be planted. They have sown garlic, spring onions, beetroot, broad beans, carrots, turnips, spinach, pak choi and herbs. In support of these activities, the clients have used IT to gather information on how best to maintain crops and they have researched recipes to cook using crops grown.

GYM

Headway clients use the gym under the supervision of a fully trained volunteer from the centre. The clients do gentle cardiovascular work using wheelchair friendly equipment. Stretching and co-ordination exercises are specifically designed to meet the needs of each individual.

MEDIA

The media group have access to a range of activities and a recent introduction is podcasts. The clients have written, produced and edited their own podcast using smart board IT and specific recording/editing programme.

ART

A fully trained art facilitator supports the clients in a range of techniques and uses of materials, from traditional arts & crafts, to photography Clients can work as a group or on their own projects to explore painting and drawing techniques, and the use of colours and light.

COGNITIVE

The cognitive group includes an introduction to the brain and its functions and enabled the sharing of experiences and challenges, leading to greater understanding and insight.

Pete Machin, Headway Group Facilitator/Support Worker, who runs the service, says: “There is a strong emphasis on social inclusion within the group and new clients are made to feel welcome, which is important in reducing anxiety. We are continually evaluating the sessions within this satellite service and continue to develop and evolve it to meet the needs of the client group.”