Different postcode – same outcome Borders Brain Injury Service

Scottish Borders Population112,000 Areasq. km4,743(1831 sq miles) Density (persons per sq. km)24 Biggest populated town14,120 Sheep1, Poultry2,

Borders Brain Injury Service Staff 2 outreach workers (full time) 1 centre based tutor (part time) 1 admin (part time) Service Users Supporting over 100 each year

Borders Brain Injury Service Funding becoming more difficult to find A greater demand on our service What are we doing to make a difference? What are our service users doing to make a difference?

Borders Brain Injury Service Outreach Momentum's outreach programme in the Scottish Borders assists adults who have sustained brain injures to live independently and to re-integrate into their communities. We also support parents of children with head injury. The Community Rehabilitation Workers assist clients to manage the effects of their brain injury, providing one- to-one support and a range of information, including counselling and provides support to their families and carers. Momentum also provides a Consultant Neuropsychologist once a month to support the Borders Brain Injury Service.

Borders Brain Injury Service Two Support Groups one based in Berwickshire and the other in the Central Borders meet monthly and give clients the opportunity to meet other people with head injuries in their local communities or in our premises in Galashiels. The Social Evening takes place once a month in the Chaplaincy Centre at the Borders General Hospital. Entertainment includes: Guest speakers, slide shows, musical nights and various demonstrations. Heads You Win Course offered in partnership with Borders College, offers service users the opportunity to gain self- confidence, social integration and skills through various courses which include: Information Technology, Cookery, Numeracy and dealing with the effects of Head Injury.

Borders Brain Injury Service Centre - Based Following the involvement of a Momentum outreach worker and by referral from that worker, service users are offered a place in the Centre Based Programme. Centre-based activities aim to provide confidence building through acquisition of skills in achievable, staged units. Each session involves varied approaches in order to maintain service users’ engagement and to encourage different learning styles. The key aims of the service are various and inter-related: engendering a supportive environment amongst service users, increasing confidence and encouraging a positive outlook, improving cognitive skills, re- learning literacy skills, and gaining or re-gaining IT skills.

Employment Support Programme Supports service users find and sustain paid work, voluntary work, placements, work tasters, training and any educational courses, formal or informal. This programme is accessed through the outreach service. The Job Retention Programme works with Service Users to enable them to return to work following brain injury. By becoming involved at an early stage, we aim to help people break down the barriers that are preventing them from returning to work. We also provide support to employers, helping them to understand the needs of such employees and to offer practical solutions, which may enable them to return to work. This could include adaptations to the workplace or providing a support worker to assist employees with tasks they are unable to complete. Borders Brain Injury Service

Heads Together A little bit about me Doing something for ourselves Setting up the Heads Together Committee Fundraising What do we spend our money on Our ultimate goal

Peer Support Groups A little bit about me The first peer support group in Eyemouth The second group in Duns Self Financing Chirnside Group Mac Group Galashiels

Borders Brain Injury Service Different postcode – same outcome Shoulder to Shoulder A new joint cross border partnership support group between Headway, North Northumberland and Momentum Scottish Borders, the group is based in Berwick Upon Tweed

Skills Accreditation A joint programme between Borders College and Momentum Scottish Borders. A set of structured rehabilitation modules to be delivered either at home or in the centre. Certificated by NCFE Certificate Presentation each year Borders Brain Injury Service