As part of Headway’s Budget for brain injury campaign, we strive to highlight the lack of funding available for essential community-based rehabilitation and reablement services for brain injury survivors across the UK.
Chief Executive Luke Griggs has written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves urging the government to support the Headway network and Budget for Brain Injury. You can take action too by writing to your own MP.
Headway supports a network of around 100 independent Headway charities and volunteer-led branches, which deliver critical services such as rehabilitation, carer support, and social reintegration. However, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, reduced local authority funding, a decline in public donations, and upcoming increases to National Insurance employer contributions are placing these services under severe strain.
Over the past two years, six local Headway charities have been forced to close their doors permanently, and many more are scaling back services or face the threat of closure. The charity is calling on the government to step in and address the growing financial challenges to ensure the sustainability of these crucial services.
In his letter to the Chancellor, Luke Griggs, Headway’s Chief Executive, said: “I ask you with urgency to address the crisis facing community-based rehabilitation organisations that provide essential services to individuals living with acquired brain injuries. These organisations are crucial partners for the government in delivering vital support to survivors and their families, but they need assistance without delay.
“Without these services, the strain placed on families will be unsustainable. Many will not cope, leading to family breakdown due to carers becoming unable to meet their loved ones’ needs that previously were met by Headway services, and unable to access respite from caring.
“This will add further pressure on already struggling local authorities, with statutory services called upon to provide more costly, long-term support such as residential care or supported living.”
You can support the Budget for Brain Injury campaign by writing to your MP using Headway’s letter template.
Headway’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Richard Wood, said:
“MPs across the country can and should speak up for their local Headway charities. The Chancellor has an opportunity to provide a financial lifeline to charities that are so often described as lifelines of their own by brain injury survivors. Contact your MP today to encourage the Chancellor to Budget for Brain Injury this year.”
Please see our Budget for brain injury campaign page for more information.
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