Meet the Team

OUR PATRON

We are delighted to introduce the Rt. Honourable Andy McDonald M.P. as our new 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; Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy; and Understanding children with SEBCMH issues.  Jan manages the charity day-to-day, oversees a range of complex 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 Callum’s 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.  Janet has since completed a course in  Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy Training that she applies to her day-to-day work.     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.

 

Helen Tyreman

Family Support Assistant/Befriender

Helen has a range of administrative qualifications and over 27 years of administration and secretarial experience in local industry.  She is also an experienced carer for a family member so brings her own lived experience to her role.  She is very excited to be joining the team and working to support other local carers and their wellbeing.  Helen enjoys time with her son and also the calming benefits of crafting.

 

New posts

Administrator/Resource Worker – Coming soon

Specialist SEN Support Worker – coming soon

Specialist SEN Support Worker – Coming soon

 

 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.

                                                      


 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

"Restoration of anatomical functions and relationships must be done within 2 months of brain injury"
Eyzyon Eisentein; Israel
"Case management for children and young people post acquired brain injury is 'pivotal' to successful outcomes and must be local"
Deborah Andrews; New Zealand
"Thousands of children and young people living in the UK today without the help and support that can make a huge difference to their lives"
Dalton Leong; Chief Executive of the Children's Trust
"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
"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
"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
"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
"NHS clinicians struggle with what intervention to prioritise in paediatric neuro-rehabilitation due to limited clinical time and the complexity of needs. Children, clinicians, parents and schools all have different neuro-rehabilitation priorities"
Recolo; 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
"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

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.

Council for Disabled Children Community Funded Charity Excellence Lottery Funded