BOSSES at a Colchester-based charity say a £65k grant is helping to make a difference to the lives of people suffering from brain injuries.

Headway Essex received a £65,308 grant from Essex County Council.

The charity offers a range of services, including day services and community-based activities, supporting hundreds of people with acquired brain injuries (ABI), family members, friends and carers every year.

The new funding has paid for a hospital link-worker role and a 'What Happens Next after ABI' booklet.

The charity now offers general health reviews and health planning at its day centres and support groups across Essex.

The expanded services are already making a difference to patients' lives.

One success story involves a woman in her 50s who suffered a stroke, affecting her speech and threatening her career as a teacher.

Headway Essex intervened at the hospital, offering support when she was discharged and providing her with a brain injury identity card to help others understand her difficulties communicating.

The patient is now attending Headway's 'Brain Injury and Me' education programme, gaining confidence and establishing support networks.

The charity plans to continue supporting her with speech improvement and assistance to help her return to work.

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Emma McCullagh, head of brain injury services at Headway Essex, stressed the impact of the funding and what it enables the charity to achieve.

She said: "It enables us to provide detailed information and timely support to individuals with a brain injury, helping them access the right services when needed.

"Our health reviews have also been invaluable in educating people about stroke prevention and the importance of brain health."

Essex County Council health boss John Spence also praised the public health accelerator bids programme.

"The PHAB programme is all about helping residents who are facing major challenges in life and tackling the health inequalities we know exist in our communities," he said.

"It's great to hear about the difference this grant is making to the support Headway Essex provides to patients with a brain injury in Essex."

The PHAB programme offers small grants under £7,500 and major grants of more than £15,000.

For more information, visit www.essex.gov.uk/phab.