Dean Harding, from Harold Wood, won the Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award - sponsored by No5 Barristers Chambers. The award was presented on 9 December at a glittering ceremony at the Landmark Hotel, London.
The national awards programme, run by UK-wide charity Headway – the brain injury association, celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of people with brain injuries and those working to support them.
Dean Harding said: “This 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.
“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!”
In 1998, at the age of just 21, Dean was assaulted at a nightclub, leaving him with internal bleeding and a blood clot on the brain. He was left fighting for his life, and Dean’s family were told to prepare for the worst.
Thankfully, Dean pulled through but found his relationships with family and friends dwindled. He also spent 15 months relying on a wheelchair and his mum and dad’s support.
Dean, now 45, still lives with several after-effects of his brain injury, including fatigue, memory loss and concentration difficulties.
Even so, Dean has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his fellow brain injury survivors, dedicating the past 21 years to supporting the work of local brain injury charity Headway East London and its members.
Dean has also undertaken many voluntary roles, including Media Officer, Trustee, Campaigner and, more recently, a paid role as a Peer Support Worker.
However, Dean’s proudest achievement is his work in setting up Headway East London’s Better Together project, which provided free face-to-face advice to brain injury survivors and their loved ones. The initiative saved the NHS more than half a million pounds as its early intervention prevented more costly treatments further down the line.
When the project’s funding ended, Dean refused to give up and helped secure a further £140,000 and four years of funding.
The project, now called Better Together – Headway East London @ The Royal London Hospital, is 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 Dean “really does bring a sense of hope and energy to everyone he meets”.
Luke Griggs, Headway’s Chief Executive, said: “Dean’s unwavering dedication to Headway and helping others similarly affected by brain injury is nothing short of exceptional. Despite his own challenges, Dean has worked tirelessly to secure support for others and to give them the help he never got.
“Dean is such an inspiration to us all. His generous spirit, selfless drive and compassionate heart make him a very deserving winner of this award.”Back
