It only takes a second to have your life changed forever by a brain injury and Headway Gwynedd and Mon, a branch of Headway UK, strive to support survivors of brain injury and their families by hosting monthly events and running volunteering projects that combat social isolation and promote self-growth.

Brain injury can be defined as any damage to the brain through trauma, stroke, infection or cancer. Brain injury can result in numerous outcomes, but everyone is different; some people may have cognitive issues such as difficulty with emotions, attention, memory, communication, and some may have physical issues, ranging from a mild physical limitation to a major disability. Headway Gwynedd and Mon are working hard to increase awareness of how a brain injury can affect someone‘s life.

The latest events organised by the group have included an arts and craft session with a professional artist with objective of promoting self-expression, a circus workshop from CircoPyro as part of the “Try Something New” Series and other enjoyable experiences. These include the development of two volunteering projects; Headway Friends and The Headway-HogSoc Sensory Garden.

Headway Friends is a project that aims to combat social isolation by pairing/ buddying two volunteers with our members to members more involved with their community through local activities, to do things they enjoy, try something new and to interact with different people.

The other project is the development of a Sensory Garden in collaboration with the Bangor Students Union’s horticultural society and aims to create an accessible sensory garden for Headway members, students, The North Wales Brain Injury Service (NWBIS) outpatients and the Bangor Community to enjoy.

The sensory garden is to include a social area, plants that are visually pleasing, smell and feel pleasing and incorporate other features to promote wildlife such as birds to make the busy area feel more tranquil and relaxing.

Alongside our projects and events, we also actively campaign to increase awareness about those living with brain injury to reduce stigma, and how the local community can also support those living with brain injury through information sessions.

Headway Gwynedd and Mon also campaign to reduce the likelihood of acquiring a brain injury through campaigns such as #RoadSafteyWeek and #BikeSmart promoting safe use of vehicles and safety measures.

These initiatives would not be possible without the support of local organisations such as Bangor University and the Students Union, and NWBIS. Despite being a branch of Headway UK, the group do not receive any funding and are therefore reliant on donations through fundraising initiatives.

All committee members are volunteers dedicated to supporting this great cause. If you would also like to help, they will be hosting a Bake-off competition in the Brigantia Building, Bangor University on 5th December 4-6pm.

This competition will be judged by Prof. Thierry and celebrity pastry Chef Richard Holt. Prizes include a meal for two at the Marram Grass restaurant, Voltaire and an afternoon tea for two in Follow your Bliss Café. The cost is £2 for unlimited entries and we will be selling slices of cake for 50p a piece! All proceeds will go to Headway Gwynedd and Mon to help them carry on doing some great work!

If you would like more information about getting involved with Headway Gwynedd and Mon by being a member, volunteer or benefactor please get in touch through Facebook (Headway Gwynedd and Mon) https://www.facebook.com/HeadwayGwynedd/ Twitter (@HeadwayGwynedd), email: headway.gwynedd@outlook.com or phone: 07 535 808 766.

Headway Gwynedd and Mon arrange monthly events for survivors of brain injury and their families