Our Founder is awarded a High Sheriff of County Durham Award

April 12th, 2026

We are incredibly proud to share that our Founder and CEO, Jan Rock, has been awarded a High Sheriff of County Durham Award.

This prestigious honour recognises Jan’s unwavering dedication to supporting children, young people, and their families affected by acquired brain injury, and the life-changing impact of the work delivered by Matrix Neurological Recovery.

At an exclusive, invitation-only event later this month, Jan will receive the award from the High Sheriff of Durham, Dr Arnab Basu; MBE, DL

The celebration will be held at Matrix Neurological Recovery, alongside the children and young people we support, and the key professionals who support the charity’s work with families in our local community.

We invite you to learn more about our work and the families we support by exploring our website.

This is a truly special and well-deserved achievement – congratulations, Jan.


"Our 10 year study proves that family-led home-based neuro-rehab interventions deliver the best outcomes for children and young people"
Lucia Braga; Brazil
I was very impressed with the results you have had with the young people you have worked with.
"There are problems with getting people into neuro-rehab. Those most in need are often those most excluded due to a lack of socio-economic resources."
Vicki Anderson; Australia
"We need to harness the power of brain plasticity for treating children and young people with brain injury, especially at the key ages of 0-3 and at ages 10-16"
Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada
"When different organisations assess different aspects of a child's neuro-rehabilitation needs, everyone looks at things from a different perspective and have conflicting priorities"
Cathy Jonson; Rehab without Walls; United Kingdom.
"Often families don't have the financial capability to access services. We need to rethink how we deliver neuro-rehab services to children and young people"
Vicki Anderson; Australia
"When someone has a brain injury, early access to local, specialist rehabilitation is crucial to ensure the maximum recovery and make significant savings to the state in health costs"
Headway; United Kingdom
"We are medical practitioners. The real experts are the parents. Over the last 35 years they have taught me everything I know"
Lucia Braga; Brazil
"Too often children and young people with ABI are discharged from hospital without specialist brain support that they and their families need to overcome lifelong challenges"
Andrew Ross; former Chief Executive of the Children's Trust
"Participation in teen sports and normal activities leads to improved quality of life for children and young people post brain injury and helps to maximise outcomes"
Claire Willis; Australia

OUR MISSION: To work to remove inequalities for children & young people affected by acquired brain injury; and provide effective support to their families that makes a real difference to their lives.

Council for Disabled Children Community Funded Charity Excellence Lottery Funded Youth Foundation BBC CiN