Category: TBI support

1. Social Support after Traumatic Brain Injury in Manchester

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 8th Nov 2019

   

   Following a traumatic brain injury, social isolation is a common occurrence. At Head Forward Centre, we address the problem of social isolation after traumatic brain injury by offering activities which encourage social integration.

   A few years ago, research carried out at Head Forward Centre identified three major issues TBI survivors need to deal with: 

   • disruption to their social life by losing old friends
   • difficulty in making new friends and
   • difficulty in establishing relationships with others in a similar position.

   Attending the sessions we offer at Head Forward Centre can help with each of those issues. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday we engage in various social activities in the centre, group crosswords and anagrams, board games and discussions. We also share a meal together in a welcoming and calming environment where our attendees report being able to feel like themselves when they're at our centre. 

   We accept referrals from social workers, case managers, caregivers, friends and family from people living with TBI themselves. We charge £30 per day for a full day session - contact us today to make a referral. 

2. 13 Helpful and Free Apps for People with Brain Injury in the UK

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 22nd Oct 2019

   These days we rely on apps for everything from booking flights to ordering groceries and communicating with friends.

   

   Phone apps are brilliant for keeping us organised and helping to address problems or difficulties we face. Here is a list of handpicked apps useful for people living with a brain injury in the UK. Some of the apps have been proven to be especially helpful for people with brain injury. 

   ABIWise

   ABIWise is the only app made by people with a brain injury for people with a brain injury.

   Available on iOS and Android.

   AccessNow

   AccessNow sharing accessibility information about places around the world. Search for specific places like a restaurant, hotel or store, or browse the map to see what is nearby with the accessibility features you require. If info isn’t already on our map, you can add it yourself and contribute to our worldwide community. Filter the map by category and tags and find the access that you need now.

   Available on iOS and Android.

   Android Accessibility Suite

   Android Accessibility Suite (formerly Google Talkback) is an accessibility feature. Its goal is to help the visually impaired navigate their devices. These features come built in with virtually every version of Androidand can be activated in the Settings menu. The app will then help the visually impaired interact with their devices. It's fairly basic, but effective. It adds things like vibration, spoken, and audible feedback.

   Available on Android.

   Audible

   Listen to books on your mobile device at home or on the go. Perfect if you have trouble staying focused while reading or if you retain information better by listening.

   Available on iOS and Android.

   Be My Eyes

   Fostering the largest global community for the blind and visually impaired, the free app, Be My Eyes, virtually connects someone with vision problems with a sighted volunteer who can help them “see.” Using any smartphone, a blind or visually impaired user can open the app to request assistance, be connected through live video with a sighted volunteer, and then point their camera at what they want described to them. The sighted volunteer will then tell the user what they see in the user’s native language – it’s as simple as that!

   Available on iOS and Android.

   Breathe2Relax

   Hands-on stress management tool with diaphragmatic breathing exercises. Designed to help you with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management.

   Available on iOS and Android.

   Corkulous Professional

   Collect, organize, and share ideas on virtual cork boards. "Pin" notes, labels, photos, contacts, and tasks. Group ideas visually on one board or spread ideas out across multiple boards.

   Available on iOS.

   Cozi Family Organiser

   Family life organisation app that includes a shared calendar, shopping lists, to do lists, family journal. This app allows you to stay in sync with your family, carers or friends. 

   Available on iOS and Android.

   Evernote

   Help remember everything across all of the devices you use. Stay organized, save your ideas and improve productivity. Take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders, and make notes completely searchable.

   Available on iOS and Android.

   ICE - In Case of Emergency

   Ice lets you put your emergency medical contact information on your smartphone's lock screen image. If you are in an accident, first responders and emergency room staff can find your emergency medical contact information as soon as they turn on your smartphone.

   Available on Anroid.

   JABtalk

   JABtalk is a free speech communication application designed to help non-verbal children and adults communicate. Speech therapists commonly refer to JABtalk as an easy and effective augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. By combining personalized voice and images with an extremely simple user interface, JABtalk delivers a speech solution that is both fun to use and easy to learn. Originally designed as a communication tool for children with special needs, JABtalk has evolved into a communication tool used by special needs children, stroke patients, toddlers, speech-language pathologists, and others.

   Available on Android.

   Lumosity

   Brain exercises targeting memory, attention, speed, flexibility, and problem solving. You can design your own personalised training, including "courses" with TBI-specific content.

   Available on iOS and Android.

   Do you use any of these apps? Or are there others that you prefer? Leave us a comment and let us know! 

3. This Autumn, Seek Positivity

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 1st Oct 2019

    

   As the leaves change colour and fall from the trees, our thoughts often turn to change and growth. Autumn can be a season of both reflection and positivity. Many of us report feeling a bit gloomier and bluer in the winter months; to combat that, let's get in the habit of thinking positively now!

   Positive thinking will also be beneficial for you as you cope with your brain injury. Sometimes it's difficult to think positively because worries and concerns simply appear in our minds and we may focus on feelings of anger or sadness. Don't judge yourself. Positive thinking doesn't mean you won't get those thoughts anymore. Actually being aware of those thoughts is often an important step towards feeling well. Focus on small things and share with others how you feel.

   Think of one thing you're grateful for each day or find a happy memory that brings a smile to your face and warms your heart and share that thought or memory with someone else. This small act is choosing to be positive. Over time, you will grow used to seeking out the positive.