One of Headway’s members brushes up on his artistic skills
I am a trustee of this excellent group, Headway Cambridgeshire, and we are now desperately searching for new premises.
We only have eight months to find somewhere suitable in the Cambridge area, where rents are sky high. What’s more, the Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire PCTs have withdraw their much needed cash support which paid the bulk of the rent. The future looks bleak.
I tell you the members of Headway make you feel very humble; their lives have been devastated by an horrific accident which left them brain injured, it could happen to any of us at any time. The centre has a joyful atmosphere where staff and volunteers give their all to help rehabilitate these wonderful people, who never complain about their condition. They are always fun to be with, they have a great sense of humour, they want to learn and get well again, or as well as their injury will permit.
It’s shameful to think this could all come to an end. That’s why I shall do all I can to campaign on their behalf. My first press release has had a great response with radio, TV and press coverage which Chief Exec Kate is great at, she used to be an actress. We’ll be putting our heads together tomorrow to decide how to take this further.
If anyone has any bright ideas or can help, if any generous anthapologist reads this and needs a worthy cause to support, then please look no further, we would love to hear from you.
That stinks. I hope you get the help you need. Even if someone or a business could offer a sponsorship of some sort.
13 July: I’ve just had a meeting with Kate and she has had calls from the public as well as organisations with some great ideas, so fingers crossed. I’m so pleased.
We had excellent media coverage and the story was repeated on BBC news as a main news item throughout the whole day. The Cambridge News are also doing a follow-up feature, their photographer was there this morning and they are sending a reporter over this afternoon, so I feel much confident about the situation now. Let’s hope something good materialises.
We’ve had some really positive responses to all our media coverage, from really interesting proposals which I’m following up on, to kind members of the public ringing in to tell us that they’ve seen vacant properties whilst they were out walking their dog. It’s so heartening to know we have so much support, but I must now translate that into bricks and mortar. Thanks to everyone and I’ll keep you posted via Ellee’s blog of our progress.