Meet the Team

OUR PATRON

We are delighted to introduce the Rt. Honourable Andy McDonald M.P. as our new Patron. Andy met with us a few months ago and agreed to become our first Patron. Andy is as passionate about Acquired Brain Injury as we are; and he has taken a huge interest in our work. Andy now sits on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Acquired Brain Injury Group. We look forward to working closely with him over the coming months and years.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

In line with recommended best practice all our trustees, staff and volunteers undergo either an EDBS (with a barred list check) or a DBS Check depending on their role. They also complete a range of CPD training to update their professional skills and ensure they have the appropriate levels of Safeguarding Training.

Jan Rock

CEO & Case Manager

Jan has lived-experience of acquired brain injury in children, young people and adults. She has a degree in Public Service Management, Certificate In Lean Organisation Management and is an experienced Prince2 Practitioner. Jan also has several CPD leadership qualifications and often speaks at professionally focused Brain Injury Conferences. Her Continuous Professional Development training includes: Paediatric Acquired Brain Injury; Special Education Needs and Disability; Paediatric neuro-rehabilitation; and Understanding children with SEBCMH issues. Jan manages the charity day-to-day, oversees a complex range of cases, and she delivers acquired brain injury awareness training to a range of professionals, sectors and organisations.

Janet Gamesby

ABI Support Worker

Janet has 17 years’ experience of working in secondary education within the SEND team supporting young people with a range of complex disabilities. She is a qualified Higher-Level Teaching Assistant and holds qualifications in Dyslexia and Safeguarding to Level 3. Janet is also very aware of the negative impact an acquired brain injury – as a hidden disability – can have on a child’s ongoing development and educational outcomes. After hearing Callums story, Janet initially contacted us about doing some volunteering work. During this time, she felt inspired by the work we do for brain injured children and young people and saw working here as a unique opportunity to use her skills and experience to support this neglected cohort to achieve their long-term recovery goals. When the ABI Support Worker post was advertised, she applied and is now excited to be part of this innovative team. In her private life, Janet’s family are very important to her and she enjoys spending time with them. She also likes to go walking and swimming in her leisure time.

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS

Our office volunteers all live locally and provide a range of essential support functions.

Christine Sherred

Administrative Support

Christine helps with a range of important back office functions and is happy to help out wherever we need her. She also has personal experience of acquired brain injury both in children and adults.

* New Volunteer Profile coming soon.

"Parent-supported interventions after pediatric ABI bring reductions to the cost to society"

Eric Hermans; Netherlands

"Children and young people have poor social competence post brain injury due to reduced cognition, executive functions, and emotional control. As a result they are twice as likely to have mental health issues in the future"

James Tonks; University of London

"Rehabilitation interventions can lead to positive outcomes for children and their families if delivered in the familiar home environment and applied to everyday situations"

Cerebra; United Kingdom

"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

"Families and professionals spend time focusing on the negative aspects of ABI. Families need to be properly supported as 'resilience' is key to delivering successful outcomes for children and young people."

Roberta De Pompeii; USA

"Restoration of anatomical functions and relationships must be done within 2 months of brain injury"

Eyzyon Eisentein; Israel

"Positive and coordinated neuro-rehab interventions for children and young people is proven to bring health improvements; improve independence; reduces the need for sheltered living; decreases vulnerability; decreases drop-out rates in schools; decreases youth offending"

Eric Hermans; Netherlands

"Different 'experts' involved in pediatric neuro-rehabilitation come from different organisational cultures which causes conflict and has a negative effect on the outcomes for the child."

Barbara O'Connell; Ireland

"When different organisations assess different aspects of a child's neuro-rehabilitation needs, everyone looks at things from a different perspective and highlight needs and 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

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.