About Us
We're here to support people with a Brain Injury.
Get to Know Us
Headway East Lothian aims to support and improve quality of life for people
in East Lothian with Acquired Brain Injuries, their families and carers.
Our Story
Our story is still being written but you can find out more about the journey so far.
Meet the Board
Our board oversee all our work and prepare our annual report and accounts which are available to read here.
Our Story So Far...
Headway East Lothian was founded in 2004 by those with a direct interest in brain injury either as a result of having acquired such an injury, as carers of someone with an ABI or as a professional.
We currently employ a Development Officer for 35 hours per week to sustain, expand and develop the service. We work on a local level but also extend to a national level with our links with Headway UK and deliver a direct service to our members.
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) survivors, their families and carers have often experienced a sudden and traumatic change in their circumstances; financial and personal. Relationships change as families try to come to terms with the nature of their loved ones disabilities and often changed personality. They can suffer limited physical mobility, social stigma related to their cognitive impairments, communication and sensory problems affecting their ability to communicate their needs or to access information and advice in appropriate formats.
At Headway East Lothian we provide people disadvantaged by their experiences with Brain Injury access to activities that improve their confidence and self-esteem; giving them the skills and information that will help them to self-manage their condition. Self-management is all about putting you in control but it does not mean managing your condition alone.
We focus on developing self-management and independent living skills, and provisioning therapeutic rehabilitation activities at 3 weekly group meetings. The three groups take place in various areas of the county to enable as many members to participate as possible. These activities include financial management, advice on welfare reform, exercise related activity groups, planning and organisation skills through planning weekly activities.
Meet the Board
Our board play a vital role, serving our charity. You can access our annual reports and accounts below.
Jim Maryniak
Convener
Teresa Martin
Secretary
Katy Lamb
Treasurer
Katy has been associated with Headway East Lothian for over 20 years. She has been a volunteer, a staff member and is now the Treasurer. Katy previously worked in industry and as a Management Consultant before retiring in 2012.
I enjoy being part of the HEL community and I love to see how HEL can have a genuinely positive effect on those with ABI, carers, family as well as staff and volunteers. It is a two way process, I may be helping with finances but it is also keeping my brain active!!
Sarah Chalmers Page
Fionna Balfour
As a person living with an acquired brain injury I believe I have a worthwhile contribution to make to the workings of the board. I try to remember to ask for feedback from the group prior to meetings and can often give the ABI perspective on topics up for discussion. Despite years of charity board involvement (well before my brain injury) it was still daunting to take this on with an addled brain. However, I have gained in confidence over time and appreciate being part of this very effective team.
Annual Reports & Accounts
Download our recent reports below.
Our Supporters
Our supporters play a vital role by funding our activities. We are very thankful to them!
“I’ve been coming along for about a year now. I like the social interaction with other group members playing dominoes and art and crafts. we have outings every month which are good. By going to headway meetings it helps me with my speech and confidence building and I feel a lot happier within myself.”
Sheryl