John Smith, 70, from Basingstoke, will find out if he has won along with two other nominees from across the UK for The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award - sponsored by No5 Barristers’ Chambers.
The award will be presented by double Olympic gold medallist and Headway Vice President James Cracknell, who himself has a brain injury, at a glittering ceremony in The Dorchester Hotel, London, on Friday 7 December.
John, a retired business analyst, joined the charity with no knowledge of the effects of brain injury and came along on a corporate volunteering day to help out for a few hours to help improve the charity’s building.
He said: “We only came to help out with some minor waterproofing and painting but I found the help the charity was able to provide so compelling and the commitment of the charity’s staff so inspiring.
“There was such a kind and compassionate atmosphere. It was hard not to stay.”
John said as he spent more time at the charity he quickly realised the unique nature of brain injury.
He said: “Brain injuries are often hidden and can lead to such incredible pressure on people.
“The consequences can easily destroy families and that means losing the support that the injured person needs the most, and that is where Headway can be so important.
“Headway Basingstoke has excelled in trying to sustain the family environment by the support given to families and carers.”
Not wanting to see Headway Basingstoke’s capability reduced, John set about working directly with the NHS to achieve a seamless transition.
John’s employment experience over the years became vital when the group’s local NHS announced it was going to withdraw staff and facilities funding.
The withdrawal threatened the charity’s future, but he lead a successful project to transfer the service to Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) funding – helping maintain the charity and enabling it to help many families for years to come.
The charity had never actually employed staff directly and the increase in responsibility was very challenging but John was there to provide the foundations with wide ranging HR policies and employment contracts.
John is very modest about his involvement with the charity.
He said: “I’m not one for awards really, I just helped the charity as best as I could. The ones who need to be focused on are the brain injury survivors and their families who work so hard to maintain and rebuild their lives, often following very sad circumstances.”
John was nominated for the award by Heather Jury, Service Manager, at Headway Basingstoke.
She said: “If every charity had someone like John the world would be a better place. He is always so helpful and there is nothing he won’t do, from making the tea to filling out incredibly complex contract bids, John has always been willing to work hard of us.
“He has also shown such incredible empathy with our clients and demonstrated through his commitment how much he cares for the people and families we support.
“John has recently stepped down as a trustee. He will be sorely missed as without his skills, support and dedication our charity would not be as it is today – a successful day rehabilitation centre for people living with the effects of brain injury.”
Each year, the Headway Annual Awards celebrate the exceptional efforts of survivors of brain injury, and those caring for and supporting them. Awards for Carer, Volunteer and Achiever of the Year will also be presented.
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