Charities
The Back-Up Trust is a dynamic national charity working with people paralysed through spinal cord injury to rebuild self confidence and independence.
Back-Up organise a varied programme of activity courses throughout the year, which integrate spinally injured participants and able-bodied volunteers. These act as a catalyst which can totally change someone's attitude to disability and enable them to focus on how much is possible.
Headway Preston and Chorley celebrated its launch, ‘Acquired Brain Injury-Who Cares’, which kicked-off in fine style on 15th October with an opening event at the home of Preston North End Football Club.
The event was attended by over 130 people from across Preston and the North West region. Donations from exhibitors and a raffle supported by local businesses, raised £1,391.10. Pledges of support were also received from delegates offering to donate their time to Headway Preston & Chorley.
A local charity that helps people affected by brain injury is urging people to keep safe over the festive period to avoid acquiring a head or brain injury. Headway’s message is clear; keep yourself safe, look after your friends and get home safely.
The Preston and Chorley branch of Headway – the brain injury association, is warning party goers to be mindful of the dangers of acquiring a head injury while out celebrating, particularly while drinking alcohol.
According to Headway, a large number of head injuries are sustained through accidents such as road traffic accidents, falls or assaults, which, if severe, can lead to bleeding, bruising and swelling in the brain and they can even kill. Even a minor bump to the head can have long term effects and cause memory loss, depression and insomnia.
Each year, around one million people attend A&E across the UK following a head injury.
Katrina Hollingworth, Chairperson of Headway Preston and Chorley, said: “Through our work at Headway, we are seeing a growing number of individuals who unfortunately acquire a brain injury though accidents that have happened on a night out. “Everyone likes a good party at this time of year, but I would urge people to be mindful of the dangers of excessive drinking; no one ever thinks they will end up with a brain injury after a night out, but believe me it is very much a possibility. Enjoy this happy season, just enjoy in moderation.”
Martin Bishop, Inspector of Roads Policing at Lancashire Constabulary, said, “We welcome the Headway safety campaign and would like to reinforce their safety message during this festive season. Serious Head injuries occur as a result of a number of preventable events. A large number of these are as a consequence of road traffic collisions. I would urge all road users to take care on the roads during this campaign and throughout the year. Lancashire Police are running their Drink Drug Drive Campaign during December, our attention will also continue with other road safety initiatives including, mobile phone use whilst driving, speeding, and non use of seatbelts. The impact of a head injury can profoundly affect individuals and their families for the rest of their lives. Headway provides fantastic support and guidance to victims and families in these circumstances, however preventing head injuries in the first instance is our collective aim”.
Headway’s top tips for a safe night out:
- Make preparations beforehand, including having telephone numbers of people you are with should you become separated and someone who can help you if you get into difficulty.
- Drink plenty of alcohol-free drinks or water in between alcoholic drinks.
- If you think the drink is affecting you too quickly, take a break – remember that tolerance to alcohol does not protect you from harm.
- Pre-book a taxi home to make sure you get home safely and that your friends do too.
If you need to drive
- Don’t drink and drive
- Don’t use your mobile whilst driving
- Keep within the speed limits
- Wear your seatbelt
Headway is continuously campaigning to help prevent brain injuries. The charity produces free factsheets about brain injury and also runs a free helpline (0808 800 2244).
Headway Preston and Chorley also hold regular drop-in surgeries at the Minerva Centre in Preston for people who have an acquired brain injury, their families and carers.
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