Helpline

The Headway helpline is a free, confidential service available to anyone with a question about brain injury - from survivors and carers to students and professionals.

We can discuss a wide range of issues relating to brain injury, from the initial injury and its effects, to long-term rehabilitation and support.

Tel: 0808 800 2244 | Email: helpline@headway.org.uk

"Whether it seemed like the daftest question in the world or the most serious of matters, Headway picked us up and guided us on our way. Nine years on, they still do."

– Headway helpline caller

We are open 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, but you can leave an answerphone message at any time.


Write to us

Use the form below to send a message directly to our helpline team and we'll respond to you as soon as possible. 

Free, confidential service

The Headway helpline is a confidential service available to anyone with a question about brain injury - from survivors and carers to students and professionals. We can discuss a wide range of issues relating to brain injury, from the initial injury and its effects, to long-term rehabilitation and support.

Demand for the service has grown by over 65% in the last five years.

Calls to the helpline are free from most land-line telephones and mobile networks.

Broken 3D pie chart displays the types of caller to the helpline in 2014. The largest section is people with a brain injury

Nurse-led

The Helpline Partnership Member logoRun by a team of trained nurses and non-clinical staff with expertise in supporting people with brain injury, we aim to provide information on all aspects of acquired brain injury including symptoms, rehabilitation and practical problems. We can also send out printed copies of our factsheets, as well as helping you to find your local Headway group or branch.

The Headway helpline is a member of the The Helplines Partnership.

Things we can do...

Below is a list of the services we can offer. It's not exhaustive; so if in doubt, do call us!

  • Provide information on all aspects of brain injury
  • Give you support by talking through your situation, and try to answer any questions and concerns you may have
  • Research more difficult enquiries to try to find information, or relevant places to find it
  • Give details of local groups & branches
  • Signpost to other organisations where their support may be helpful
  • Send copies of Headway's booklets and factsheets
  • Give details of solicitors who can help with compensation claims
  • Help you apply for funding through the Headway Emergency Fund, and give details of other possible funding providers if the Emergency Fund can't help

Things we can't do...

Below is a list of things we can't do, although we can help you to find services or professionals who can help, so please contact us for more information.

  • Give medical advice and diagnoses. If you have any new or worsening symptoms that you need to discuss with a healthcare professional, contact your GP or their out of hours service.
  • Recommend particular services, such as rehabilitation centres, doctors or solicitors - although we can give information that will help you to make a choice.
  • Take on casework, but we will be able to discuss your situation and help you access appropriate information and support.
  • Provide legal advice, although we can signpost to appropriate legal services.
  • Give information on children's brain injury. There are a number of organisations who give support relating to child brain injury, see the Useful organisations page for more details.
  • Provide a counselling service, although we can spend time talking through your situation and provide a listening ear.

The content of all correspondence with the Headway helpline is for information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. You should always speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about a medical condition, and to a specialist solicitor if you have concerns of a legal nature.