Dean Harding was just 21 when he was viciously attacked, leaving him fighting for his life with a traumatic brain injury. Despite sustaining his injury more than two decades ago, Dean, now 45, says he is still very much “on the road to recovery”.
However, that hasn’t stopped him from working tirelessly to improve the lives of his fellow brain injury survivors, dedicating the past 21 years of his life to supporting the work of local brain injury charity Headway East London and its members.
Dean’s achievements, which include helping to secure £140,000 worth of funding to better support brain injury survivors, mean he is now being recognised at an annual awards luncheon as one of just three finalists for the Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award.
In 1998 Dean was assaulted at a nightclub. Internal bleeding and a blood clot on the brain meant Dean’s family were told to prepare for the worst. Thankfully after intensive clinical input and therapy, Dean pulled through and began his long and ongoing journey to recovery.
He said: “Although the assault was a long time ago, I’m reminded of it every day. Still, to this day, I struggle with fatigue, concentration, language difficulties and memory loss. I also have one-sided weakness on the left side of my body and walk with a limp.”
Dean’s relationships with family and friends dwindled, and his independence was stripped away as he tried to come to terms with the effects of his brain injury.
He said: "I was in a wheelchair for 15 months, so completely relied on my mum and dad for everything.”
Three years after his brain injury, Dean decided he wanted to help others who had been through something similar, which led him to volunteer for Headway East London, for which he has now been shortlisted for a national award.
The accolade, sponsored by No5 Barristers Chambers, will be presented at a ceremony organised by Headway – the brain injury association on 9 December at The Landmark London.
Speaking about the nomination, Dean said: “It means so much to me! There’s just no other charity like Headway, and we’re all like family. I wouldn’t be able to live without Headway, so to be able to give something back and be recognised for it is marvellous.”
Dean has been a leading part of Headway East London’s community since 2001, with voluntary roles including Media Officer, Trustee, Campaigner and, more recently, a paid role as a Peer Support Worker.
He said: “Knowing that sharing my story and experiences with other brain injury survivors helps them is a great feeling. I wish I had that support when I first started out on my journey.
“Most of all, I just love helping people!”
Despite his extensive achievements, Dean’s proudest is his influential work in setting up Headway East London’s Better Together project.
He said: “Many brain injury survivors like myself are left with a sense of loss after discharge, with nowhere to turn to and no idea what to expect next. Headway East London secured a grant to deliver an Early Intervention Service meaning myself and a caseworker could approach patients at the hospital bedside to provide hope, education, emotional support and guidance following their brain injury.”
The project was a success, saving the NHS more than half a million pounds as the early intervention prevented more costly treatments further down the line. But the funding came to an end. It was then that Dean decided to take matters into his own hands, creating relationships with stakeholders and spreading awareness about the need for such service.
The result of Dean’s hard work led to a further £140,000 and four years of funding.
The project, now called Better Together – Headway East London @ The Royal London Hospital, as named by Dean, is labelled as a gold standard pathway for brain injury survivors.
Natalie Clapshaw, Director of Development and Casework Manager at Headway East London, nominated Dean for the award. She said: “Although a character you will never forget meeting, Dean is quiet about the impact and achievements he has made at Headway East London. It comes naturally to him that he would dedicate his life and career to those in need, providing a service he never got and would have been so helpful to him.
“Dean really does bring a sense of hope and energy to everyone he meets – our members at support groups, patients in hospital and the staff team he is part of. He brings his whole self to everything he does.
“To win an award would put the biggest smile on Dean’s face, and I’d love to see him get the recognition he deserves not only at Headway East London but nationally.”
Dean will find out whether he will win the Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award, sponsored by No5 Barristers Chambers, on Friday, 9 December, at The Landmark London, with awards for Achiever, Carer and Volunteer of the Year also being presented.
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