Headway ABI Network

Further information

Headway's Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Network is delivered across the Belfast, Northern, South Eastern and Western Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) areas in Northern Ireland.

The ABI Network provides a number of services to individuals living with brain injury, carers, families and professionals. Complying with Headway standards the network offers social rehabilitation, social inclusion, information, education and peer support living with brain injury through the following services:

• Outreach Service
• Day Service
• Carer's Networks
• Counselling
• Social Events and activities

Outreach Services: 

Our Outreach Services are weekly services on offer to individuals living with brain injury. The service is user led, meaning that all programmes and decisions are made in consultation with members of the groups. The services provides recreational and social opportunities within local communities aimed at developing new and relearning social skills which may have been lost as a result of brain injury. 
 
The groups are designed to offer peer support, increase confidence and self esteem through a number of therapeutic and social activities such as art therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, memory and cognitive games and social outings.

Day Services: 

Our Day Services are offered within Day Centre Settings to individuals living with moderate or complex brain injury who can’t access outreach services. Similar to the activities of the outreach service range the service is service user led and focuses on the interests of group members. 
 
Groups are delivered on a weekly basis to individuals living with brain injury at Beech Hall Day Centre (West Belfast) and Woodlands Day Centre (North Belfast) and a fortnightly group is held at Meadowvale Court, Lisburn. Participants engage in activities such as art therapy, baking, horticulture, quizzes, conversation skills and various cognitive and communicative activities.

Carer's Networks: 

A network for carers is in operation in the Belfast, Northern and Western HSCT areas. The monthly support groups meet in the evenings providing carers with the opportunity to meet with like minded individuals, learn and develop a further understanding of brain injury and coping strategies, peer support and opportunities to socialise. All programmes are carer led and designed to engage carers with topical speakers, therapies and social activities.

A Drop-in service operates alongside a number of the Carer’s Network, providing a social support group for individuals living with brain injury offering social inclusion and therapeutic activities whilst their carer accesses the carers networks.

Counselling:

Counselling support is on offer to individuals living with brain injury or their carer / family members with up to six free sessions are offered following assessment. Counselling is offered at multiple locations in Northern Ireland.

Social Events:

We provide a number of social and recreational activities and events in the evening and during weekends throughout the year, a huge highlight is our annual residential and The Way Ahead. We host a number of family events in each of the localities in Northern Ireland.

All services are based on referral, our referral form is attached and can be self completed or by a health professional.
For further information on the services please look at the services in your area.