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Headway reacts to Wetherspoons' discrimination Main Image

Headway reacts to Wetherspoons' discrimination

Thu 19 Apr 2018

Headway has again called for Wetherspoons to improve its training after a brain injury survivor was asked to leave one of its pubs after staff mistook her disability for drunkenness. 

 

Grace Currie was escorted out of The Shrewsbury Hotel by bouncers on Saturday night who told her she was too drunk, despite having only one drink.

Ms Currie, 24, said it was "appalling" and she was not even allowed back inside for her bag and coat.

The chain apologised for the mistake and the "misjudgement" of staff.

Luke Griggs, Director of Communications at Headway, said: “Brain injury survivors should not have to face this kind of blatant discrimination.

“If staff had taken the time to speak with Grace, rather than jump to conclusions, then the needless upset and distress caused to her and her friends would have been avoided.

“This is entirely unacceptable behaviour from a pub chain that should know better.

“In December 2015, a similar incident took place to a brain injury survivor who was refused service and asked to leave by staff at the Gatehouse pub in Doncaster. At the time we were assured that staff would receive training and lessons would be learnt, but it would seem that these were empty promises.

“Apologies are all well and good, but what is needed is action. No-one with a disability should be treated in this manner.”

Headway brain injury identity card

Headway has produced a Brain Injury Identity Card to provide survivors with added confidence in everyday social scenarios such as visiting the pub. Launched last year by HRH Prince Harry, the card helps people to ask for help or understanding if and when they need it.

Find out more and make an application.

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Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893.

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