Brenda Floyd

Hitting Home

Assault is one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injury. Here, Brenda Floyd tells the deeply moving story of how a vicious assault left her son with a brain injury - and how she's now working with young offenders to encourage them to change their ways.

Six years ago, a horrific event occurred that was to permanently change my son's life and mine. On 3 March 2004, my son Julian was travelling home to Wales after coming to Derbyshire to attend his Nan's funeral when he was assaulted. It was 9pm and he was accompanying two of my friends to the local bus stop when the group attacked him.

By 10pm that evening, I was sitting in our local hospital anxiously waiting for any news about Julian's condition. Some three hours later I was told that he would need to go urgently to the Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield for major brain surgery.

After three months, Julian came to live with me as his carer. A short while later, one of the police officers dealing with Julian's case put me in touch with Headway North Derbyshire. From the very first meeting we attended, we were made to feel welcome and it was encouraging to see Julian mixing with others.

At a subsequent meeting, a guest speaker spoke about the work of the Youth Offending Team in Chesterfield. I felt unable to listen to the speaker as it would have been too much for me to bear at the time. Later, a member of the Youth Offending Team spoke to me and asked why I couldn't listen to the talk. During our conversation it was made clear to me that they were looking for someone to talk with young people involved in violent offences that can result in brain injury. My response was negative; I didn't think it would work and couldn't bring myself to get involved.

Over the next two years, however, I was approached on several occasions to see if my opinions had changed and I eventually agreed to carry out just one session. Although I was very nervous at first, it went well and I accepted further requests for me to talk one-to-one with young offenders.

My talks last about 20 to 30 minutes and consist of a potted version of my son's story and how his life, my life and the lives of family and friends have been affected. I also try to impress on the young people the long-term effects of violent offences that can result in someone having to cope with the consequences of a brain injury.

Over the past three years I have spoken one-to-one to some 40 young people, chosen by the Chesterfield Youth Offending Team. Feedback has been very positive; in fact, none of the young people involved in the project have gone on to commit further violent offences.

It's hard sometimes, but I'm determined to do all I can to prevent other families from going through what our family has been through.