BIG attends to needs of London brain injury group

Area:

London
England

Programme:

Reaching Communities

Release date:

14 2 2012

BIG attends to needs of London brain injury group

A London project has received over £290,000 to support people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) to re-build their self-esteem and learn new skills to improve their life chances.

Attend in Westminster is one of six groups in the capital sharing over £1.9 million today from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme, which aims to build stronger communities and help those most in need.

People experience an ABI as a result of a significant head trauma or medical condition including meningitis, haemorrhages, tumours or strokes. As this can have a severe impact on a person’s life chances the project will work with participants as they undertake a three and a half month programme of tailored one-to-one support. Skills workshops will be provided including IT, numeracy and reading and participants will also attend eight, one-day support sessions to learn about CV writing and interview skills.

Activities such as fitness and photography will also be on offer and participants can also train to lead the sessions. Some participants will also be recruited and trained as peer mentors and there will also be the chance to get involved in running the Friends of Attend group.

David Wood OBE, Chief Executive of Attend said: “Our programme supports people who have had a brain injury, which is the largest cause of acquired disability in the UK today.  Once discharged from hospital, you might be physically able to not be in a hospital bed but that doesn’t mean you’re able to live the way you used to live. In many cases people end up becoming isolated and dependent on others.

“With this grant we are able to help people to rebuild their lives and regain an active place in their community through volunteering. We are delighted this vital work has received this support and will make a huge difference for individuals and their communities.”

Also supporting vulnerable people to improve their confidence and prospects is the Hillside Clubhouse in Islington, which receives £272,147 this month. Their Recovery! project will work with those with mental health issues and support them to improve their life skills, health, education and prospects.

People are to be offered tailored support created around their individuals needs. This could include support at appointments or guidance with debt and housing problems. They will also gain support in literacy and communication plus help them towards seeking employment, education and further training.

Graeme Jones, Executive Director of Hillside Clubhouse said: “Hillside Clubhouse is about to become a flagship project for its members.This grant will enable the Clubhouse to expand its range of services and support to provide a holistic one-stop shop with emotional, social and practical support to enable our members to maximise their potential in all areas of their lives.

“The new Recovery! project will also see members benefit from better mental and physical health, increased living skills and social networks, better relationships, more responsibility and independence.”

Alison Rowe, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region London said, “I am delighted the Big Lottery Fund is supporting these vital projects, which do so much to help vulnerable people to gain new skills, emotional support and the chance to fulfil their potential under often very difficult circumstances.”

A full list of London projects receiving Reaching Communities funding today:

Further Information

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Ask BIG a question here: https://ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Follow BIG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigLotteryFund #BIGlf
Find BIG on facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund

Notes to Editors

• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 46% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since June 2004 BIG has awarded over £4.4bn.
• The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £27 billion has now been raised and more than 370,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.

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