Meet the Team

In line with recommended best practice all our staff and volunteers undergo either EDBS or DBS Checks depending on their role. They also complete CPD training to ensure they have the appropriate levels of Safeguarding Training.

FAMILY SERVICES

Jan Rock

Charity Manager & 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 is a frequent speaker at professionally focused Brain Injury Conferences. Her Continuous Professional Development training inlcudes: 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 and delivers acquired brain injury awareness training to a range of professionals, sectors and organisations.

Nicola McCormick

p/t Family Support Assistant and Administrator

Nicola has an N.V.Q. Level 3 in Business Administration. She also has lived-experience of both acquired brain injury and childhood learning disability. Nic provides the important link between our families and the charity; undertakes regular home visits; and supports the Case Manager with case administrative functions.

Mary Dryden

Family Support Volunteer

Mary has a professional background in neuro rehab Occupational Therapy and is currently returning to practice through gaining valuable volunteering experience with us. She has also worked as a self-employed gardener for several years, running her own successful business. She loves rowing, running and being outdoors with her kids and dogs.

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.

"Often families don't have the financial capability to access services. We need to rethink how we delivery neuro-rehab services to children and young people"

Vicki Anderson; Australia

"Case management for children and young people post acquired brain injury is 'pivotal' to successful outcomes and must be local"

Deborah Andrews; New Zealand

"Taking brain injured children home causes high stress for families. Disjointed services exacerbate family stress levels."

Deborah Andrews; New Zealand

"We would like to see earlier identification and support for children with brain injuries to help them succeed in school."

Dalton Leong; Chief Executive of the Children's Trust

"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

"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

"Pediatric neuro-rehabilitation cannot be delivered in isolation. The needs of the child have to be looked at both holistically and within the context of the family unit. Parents need to be empowered to be parents in post-acute pediatric neuro-rehabilitation following brain injury"

The Children's Trust; United Kingdom

"Strength-based family intervention after pediatric ABI is essential. Parents need to be equipped with the skills to cope and advocate for the child."

Caron Gan; Canada

"Poor parenting styles affects children's behavior; increased their learning disability; and had a negative impact on emotions; anxiety; anger management post brain injury"

Andrea Palacio-Navarro; Spain

"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

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