News

On 7 July 2025, twenty-nine members of Headway North Cumbria went for lunch at the Pizza Hut, London Road, Carlisle, Cumbria.  Attendees enjoyed the unlimited buffet bundle which comprised: Everyone enjoyed a good meal, engaging conversation and left feeling full and … Continued

The Summer edition of Headway News has been published and can be found here: Read Headway News Summer 2025 edition The Action for Brain Injury Week special edition explores Headway’s On a good day campaign. It includes personal stories of life … Continued

Watchtree Nature Reserve is a 205 acre haven for wildlife and people.  Featuring flower rich meadows, old and new woodland, miles of hedgerow and wetland habitats this a place for everyone.  Wildlife is perfectly at home here and we have abundant … Continued

On Monday 14 April 2025 members of Headway North Cumbria enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at Adeline’s on Corporation Road, Carlisle.  We were fortunate to have exclusive use of this stylish Tea Room and enjoyed a superb selection of homemade sweets … Continued

Headway North Cumbria member, Anna Selim, recently responded to an advertisement in Cumbria Crack in which the Harker Substation Project was looking for local artwork to help decorate its wellness room.  As a consequence £150 has been donated to the … Continued

The Spring edition of Headway News has been published and can be found here: Read Headway News Spring 2025 edition Contents Network Games The ABI Games Advocating in Westminster World Oral Health Day The Power of Laughter Services spotlight: Headway … Continued

On Monday 24 February 2025 members from Headway North Cumbria went Ten Pin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl, Carlisle.  This was our first of two planned bowling sessions for this year. We took over three lanes with 16 participants spread between … Continued

Headway UK has announced its first-ever Facebook Challenge:  Walk 90km in February! Headway UK are inviting participants to walk 90km during February to help raise vital funds.   Participants can complete the challenge at their own pace, at anytime, anywhere between … Continued

During 2020 Headway North Cumbria member, Helen Wilson, took to writing poetry to help her focus and aid with her recovery from a Traumatic Brain Injury.  Initially Helen wrote a series of 12 poems which explored various aspects of living with … Continued

The winter edition of Headway News has been published and can be found here: Read Headway News Winter 2024 edition Get up-to-date News in brief Headway Leicester in Westminster New Headway shop opens in Barnsley He did it!  Andrew completes … Continued

On Monday 9 December 2024 seventy-three members, volunteers, their support workers and family members from Headway North Cumbria participated in what is always Headway North Cumbria’s final, and best attended, event of the year – the Christmas Lunch.  It was … Continued

On Monday 2 December 2024 we were delighted to welcome back the duo Travelling Light to the Day Centre.  Steve and Evie, once again, performed an excellent set of music from a diverse repertoire of songs that are very popular … Continued

The autumn edition of Headway News is here with all the latest news and features from Headway, including ‘Nature after brain injury’, ‘Amnesia and identity’, ‘Shopping without stress’, and much more   Read Headway News Autumn 2024 edition   The … Continued

On Monday 16 September 2024 thirty-two members of Headway North Cumbria enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at Adeline’s on Corporation Road, Carlisle.  We were fortunate to have exclusive use of this stylish Tea Room and enjoyed a superb selection of homemade … Continued

Headway UK has launched a new long-term strategy setting out a plan for the next five years. The plan includes 4 strategic aims: –     Strengthen the network of local Headway charities and volunteer-led branches. –     Increase awareness and … Continued

The summer edition of Headway News is here!  As the days grow longer and warmer, here is an exciting and jam-packed issue filled with inspiring stories, essential advice, and vibrant highlights from the Headway community.   Read Headway News Summer … Continued

On Monday 1 July 2024 we welcomed back Travelling Light to the Day Centre.   Steve, Evie and Maddie performed a great set of music from a repertoire comprising many popular music styles designed to appeal to a variety of musical … Continued

Finn Graham, son of Headway North Cumbria member, Helen Wilson, has been fundraising for the branch.  Finn decided that he would undertake the 10km Gelt Gladiator course on 8th June 2024.  The Gelt Gladiator is an epic obstacle race in … Continued

Watchtree Nature Reserve is a 205 acre haven for wildlife and people.  Featuring flower rich meadows, old and new woodland, miles of hedgerow and wetland habitats this a place for everyone.  Wildlife is perfectly at home here and we have … Continued

GENERAL The date for the General Election has been set for 4 July 2024. The aim of this post is to ensure that brain injury survivors can fully participate in the democratic process and that they have the information they … Continued

Hats for Headway Day is an annual fundraising event in which Headway invites anyone who wants to help improve life after brain injury to wear a wacky hat, make a donation to Headway, and post a picture on social media to … Continued

Finn Graham, son of Headway North Cumbria member, Helen Wilson, is fundraising for the branch.  Finn has decided that he will undertake the 10km Gelt Gladiator course on 8th June 2024.  Finn will undertake the 10km mud run which is … Continued

On Monday 22 April 2024 forty-two members of Headway North Cumbria met for lunch at the Lakeland Gate Brewers Fayre in Carlisle.  Attendees enjoyed a three course meal of starter, main and dessert in a large section of the restaurant … Continued

The first Headway News of 2024 is packed with news and features, including ‘What really counts?’, ‘Returning to work after brain injury’, Rolf’s Headway Heroes story and much more!   Read Headway News Spring 2024 edition   The contents of … Continued

On Monday 19 February 2024 members from Headway North Cumbria went Ten Pin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl, Carlisle.  This was our first bowling session of the year. We took over four lanes with 15 participants spread between them in groups … Continued

ABI Week provides an annual platform on which Headway can raise awareness of brain injury and the work it does to support those affected. Each year, Headway UK launches a new campaign during ABI Week, encouraging and supporting the Headway … Continued

On Monday 11 December 2023 seventy members, volunteers, their support workers and family members from Headway North Cumbria participated in the Branch’s final, and biggest, event of the year – the Christmas Lunch.  It was great to see so many … Continued

In the Winter Edition of Headway News the wonderful stories of the 12 Headway Awards finalists is celebrated, we are told how to beat the winter blues, explore how identity can be affected by brain injury, and much more. Read … Continued

On Monday 27 November 2023 we welcomed back the duo Travelling Light to the Day Centre. Steve and Evie performed an excellent set of music from a repertoire of songs that are very popular of our members They played a … Continued

On Monday 6 November 2023 members from Headway North Cumbria went Ten Pin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl, Carlisle.  This was our second bowling session of the year. We took over four lanes with 19 participants spread between them.  A further … Continued

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, due on 22 November 2023, Headway has relaunched its campaign Budget for Brain Injury.  The upcoming spending review has provided another opportunity to request that government funding is allocated to support the implementation of the … Continued

On Monday 18 September 2023 thirty-eight members of Headway North Cumbria enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at Adeline’s on Corporation Road, Carlisle.  We were fortunate to have exclusive use of this stylish Tea Room and enjoyed a superb selection of … Continued

As summer comes to an end, Headway UK brings the sunshine with a magazine packed full of inspiring stories, including ‘Rowing the extra mile’ and ‘Meet the volunteers’ Read Headway News Autumn 2023 edition The contents of this edition are … Continued

On Monday 31 July 2023 we welcomed back the duo Travelling Light to the Day Centre.  Steve was joined on this occasion by his granddaughter Maddie. Steve and Maddie performed an excellent set of music from a repertoire which covers many … Continued

The Lake District Calvert Trust is a residential outdoor centre, specialising in activity courses for people with disabilities, their friends, family members and/or colleagues.   The Calvert Trust’s 60-bed centre is based just 4 miles out of Keswick in the heart of … Continued

Summer is here and Headway News is back with the latest news and features from Headway with a focus on the ‘Every 90 Seconds’ ABI Week campaign, features on some amazing creative works from across the Headway network and a … Continued

Watchtree Nature Reserve is a 205 acre, fully accessible nature reserve, situated on the Solway plain, 6 miles south west of Carlisle. The reserve has clear views to the northern hills of the Lake District and overlooks the Solway Firth … Continued

Charles III became King immediately upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, on 8 September 2022.  The coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms took … Continued

Why does Headway run an Action for Brain Injury week? –    To raise awareness and understanding of brain injury so as to improve the lives of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) survivors through enhanced support and better social interactions. –  … Continued

On Monday 24 April 2023 forty members of Headway North Cumbria met for lunch at the Lakeland Gate Brewers Fayre in Carlisle.  Attendees enjoyed a three course meal of starter, main and dessert in a large section of the restaurant that … Continued

At our Day Centre session on Monday 3 April 2023, Headway North Cumbria was looking forward to the upcoming Easter weekend. The session focussed on the upcoming celebration with activities supporting that theme: –    There was an Easter egg … Continued

The spring edition of Headway News has been published.  Don’t miss the new edition which is packed with the latest news and features, including a deep-dive into post-traumatic growth, a focus on loan sharks, and inspiring artwork in our Creative … Continued

Look Ahead in the North is an annual residential weekend at The Calvert Trust, Kielder Forest.  This year it was held over the period 3-5 March 2023 and was blessed with relatively good weather despite not being particularly warm. A total … Continued

Shrove Tuesday is the day in February or March immediately preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in many countries by making and eating pancakes.  Many will know it as “Pancake Day” or “Pancake Tuesday”.  This year … Continued

On Monday 13 February 2023 members from Headway North Cumbria went Ten Pin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl, Carlisle.  This was our first bowling session of the year. We took over three lanes with the 13 participants spread between them.  Everyone … Continued

The 12 Miles of Christmas was a Headway UK fundraising initiative based on asking people to cover a distance of 12 miles, in any number of creative and festive-themed ways.  It was an excuse for people to have a bit … Continued

The winter edition of Headway News has been published.  The final edition of 2022 features the return of the Headway Awards, the Headway Emergency Fund passes £500,000 in grants, a focus on memory problems and much more! Read Headway News … Continued

On Monday 12 December 2022 sixty-seven members, volunteers, their support workers and family members from Headway North Cumbria participated in the Branch’s final event of the year – the Christmas Lunch.  It was great to see so many of our … Continued

On Monday 5 December 2022 we welcomed back the duo Travelling Light to the Day Centre.  Steve and Evie performed two sets for us.  The first set was drawn from a repertoire of popular music types.  The band played an excellent … Continued

On Monday 14 November 2022 members from Headway North Cumbria went Ten Pin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl, Carlisle.  This was our second bowling session of the year. We took over four lanes with the 15 participants spread between them. Participants … Continued

What is it? The 12 Miles of Christmas is a Headway UK fundraising initiative based on asking people to cover a distance of 12 miles, in any number of creative and festive-themed ways.  It’s an excuse for people to have … Continued

The autumn edition of Headway News for 2022 has been published.  In this Headway celebrates the issue of 10,000 Brain Injury ID Cards . Alongside this and other regular features, Headway Christmas cards go on sale, there is a look … Continued

  The Headway North Cumbria Day Centre will be closed on Monday 19th September 2022 as a mark of respect, and in recognition of the Bank Holiday announced to mark the day of the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.   … Continued

It is good to see that the Headway North Cumbria Day Centre is up and running much as it was before the coronavirus outbreak. Headway North Cumbria closed its Day Centre on 16 March 2020 in anticipation of the first … Continued

Watchtree Nature Reserve is a 205 acre haven for wildlife and people. Featuring flower rich meadows, old and new woodland, miles of hedgerow and wetland habitats this a place for everyone.  Wildlife is perfectly at home here and we have abundant … Continued

The summer edition of Headway News for 2022 has been published.  This edition includes: ‘See the Hidden Me: Action for Brain Injury Week’, ‘Cooking with confidence’, ‘Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee’ and lots more! Read Headway News Summer 2022 edition   … Continued

On Monday 13 June 2022 we welcomed the duo Travelling Light to the Day Centre.  Steve and Evie teamed up about 3 years ago and specialise in singing and playing for charities, church and other not for profit organisations to give … Continued

The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II was celebrated in 2022 to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.  In the United Kingdom there was an extra bank holiday and the usual Spring … Continued

On Monday 23 May 2022 thirty-five members of Headway North Cumbria enjoyed a delicious afternoon the at the Halston Hotel, Carlisle. We were fortunate to have exclusive use of the stylish Bartons Yard Café Bar and enjoyed a superb selection … Continued

Headway’s Action for Brain Injury (ABI) week was held from 16 – 22 May 2022.  This year’s campaign focussed on what can be for many brain injury survivors, a hidden disability.  The campaign – See the Hidden Me – raised … Continued

On Monday 25 April 2022 members from Headway North Cumbria went Ten Pin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl, Carlisle.  This was the first activity that we have run outside of our Day Centre since resuming our sessions on 7 March 2022. … Continued

Headway North Cumbria’s Day Centre session on 11 April 2022 had an Easter theme to it.  Instead of our normal range of activities the 32 attendees were invited to participate in a quiz, an easter egg hunt and a raffle. … Continued

The first edition of Headway News for 2022 has been publiehed.  It includes: ‘Executive dysfunction explained’, ‘Headway gets creative’, ‘From a child’s mind to centre stage’, ‘Inside your incredible brain’ and much more!   Read Headway News Spring 2022 edition … Continued

During December 2021 and January 2022 there was a high incidence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.  As a consequence the Government put a number of precautions, known as Plan B, in place. On 22 December 2021 our … Continued

Throughout December 2021 there has been a rapid spread of the new, Omicron, variant of the COVID-19 virus.  Cases of COVID-19 are higher now than they have ever been with daily infection rate records being exceeded on a regular basis.  … Continued

On Monday 6 December 2021 fifty-three members, volunteers, their support workers and family members from Headway North Cumbria participated in the Branch’s final event of the year, the Christmas Lunch.  Due to the Coronavirus panademic we had not been able … Continued

The Winter 2021 edition of Headway News has been published.  It features: Sweet dreams? Getting a good night’s sleep after brain injury, “I accept the ‘new me’ and I’m working to rebuild my life”, Mindfulness and brain injury, Headway Heroes, … Continued

On Monday 11 October 2021 a group of members from Headway North Cumbria went Ten Pin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl, Carlisle.  This was the first activity that we have run outside of the Day Centre since restarting face-to-face activities on … Continued

On Monday 6 September 2021 the Headway North Cumbria Day Centre re-opened having been closed for almost 18 months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It was a welcome return to our host venue – The New Waterton Hall, … Continued

Headway North Cumbria has benefited from £667.82 raised through plant sales by Deputy Chairman and Day Centre Manager Jean Wight.  The money was raised through the sale of plants through an honesty box system where people were able to select … Continued

Headway has issued its autumn 2021 edition of Headway News.  The magazine features features: “She sees me for what I can do, not what I can’t”, 10 years of the Emergency Fund, Headaches after brain injury, Covid-19 and long Covid, … Continued

Headway North Cumbria will be re-opening its Day Centre on 6 September 2021 after 18 months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The venue will be the same – The New Waterton Hall, Warwick Square, Carlisle, CA1 1LB – … Continued

Headway has issued its summer edition of Headway News.  The magazine features: A life of lockdown? Reach out to help out!, Action for Brain Injury Week review, how to manage isolation, inside your incredible brain, and much more! Read Headway … Continued

On 19th April 2021 a group of Occupational Therapy students from the University of Cumbria conducted a session on Mindfulness for the members of Headway North Cumbria. The six students involved had been able to join us on our weekly … Continued

Headway has issued its spring edition of Headway News.  The magazine features: “There’s nothing minor about any head injury” – Alex’s story, Concussion myth-busters, Back behind the wheel, How to tame your anger, Inside your incredible brain, and much more! Read Headway … Continued

Headway North Cumbria member Helen has recently recorded an interview to be broadcast later in the month on local radio station RadioAlty. RadioAlty is the local radio station for Altrincham, South Manchester, and broadcasts continuously online and via radio apps.  … Continued

At this time of year a number of celebrations or events take place.   Some of these occur on a fixed date every year whilst others have a variable date based on the lunar cycle or other factors.  In 2021 a … Continued

In previous posts we have shared the work of Headway North Cumbria member, Helen Wilson, who has written a series of poems exploring her experiences of living with an acquired brain injury.  They provide an insight in to some of the challenges … Continued

2020 has been a difficult year and the prospect of a good Christmas has been on many people’s minds for some time.  Sadly the spread of the coronavirus has continued despite recent lockdown measures.  Increasingly demanding restrictions are now being … Continued

Headway has issued its winter edition of Headway News.  This edition features: Memory Loss: A campaign to remember, ‘I can forget to turn the cooker off’, 10 things NOT to say to someone with a brain injury, a marathon effort, … Continued

2020 has been a particularly challenging year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.  In the early part of the year we were faced with a full national lockdown and since then have been required to live with a constantly changing … Continued

In a previous post it was reported that Helen Wilson’s poems had been taken up by Headway UK and posted to the Creative Expression part of its website.  In addition to this Headway chose four of Helen’s poems for publication to its Instagram account (headway_uk) as … Continued

 In a recent news article it was reported that Helen Wilson had taken to writing poetry to help her focus and aid with her recovery from a Traumatic Brain Injury.  Helen has written a series of 12 poems which explore various aspects of living … Continued

Headway North Cumbria member, Helen Wilson, has taken to writing poetry to help her focus and aid with her recovery from a Traumatic Brain Injury.  Helen writes: On the 1st June 2013 I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury.  This changed my … Continued

At Headway North Cumbria Arts and Crafts has proven to be a popular activity during  our Day Centre sessions with a number of people engaging in a wide range of projects.  It is good to see that, despite the enforced closure … Continued

Headway has issued its autumn edition of Headway News.  This edition features: ‘A day in the life of a helpline consultant’, ‘Fighting fatigue’, ‘Mental health and brain injury’, as well as all the latest brain injury-related stories and news from Headway. … Continued

In July six-year-old Robyn McLean from Wigton, Cumbria undertook a 100-mile bike ride along the Hadrian’s Cycleway to raise funds for three Cumbrian charities: –     Save Our Stan – fundraising to send Stan, a two year old with leukaemia, to Singapore for medical … Continued

Memory loss is one of the most commonly experienced effects of brain injury and can have a profound impact on the lives of survivors and their loved ones. In the last year, memory was one of the most prevalent issues … Continued

Headway North Cumbria is very fortunate in having members and supporters that are prepared to make an effort to raise the funds that are so essential in ensuring that we can offer our members the support that they need.  Recently a sponsored … Continued

  David Wilson, father of member Helen Wilson, has raised over £ 1,300 for Headway North Cumbria by undertaking a sponsored walk.  Helen suffered a traumatic brain injury 7 years ago which changed her life.  She received, and continues to receive, help from … Continued

Six-year-old Robyn McLean from Wigton, Cumbria has recently undertaken a 100-mile bike ride along the Hadrian’s Cycleway to raise funds for three Cumbrian charities. Robyn and her Aunt Shona are going to the Netherlands at the end of July for a cycling tour and … Continued

Headway has issued its summer edition of Headway News.  This edition focuses on COVID-19 and features: “Rising to the challenge”, Isolation after brain injury, Mindfulness and Me, Headway’s home heroes, and much more. Read Headway News Summer 2020 edition The contents of … Continued

David Wilson, father of member Helen Wilson, is fundraising for Headway North Cumbria by undertaking a sponsored walk.  He will be walking around Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, on 7 August 2020. He has opened a JustGiving … Continued

Six-year-old Robyn McLean from Wigton, Cumbria is undertaking a 100-mile bike ride along the Hadrian’s Cycleway to raise funds for three charities. Robyn and her Aunt are going to the Netherlands at the end of July for a cycling tour and Robyn … Continued

As we approach the next phase of lockdown on 1 June 2020 we look back at what our members have been up to since Hats at Home for Headway on 15 May 2020. The usual activities continue to be popular with our … Continued

Each year Headway invites anyone who wants to help improve life after brain injury to wear a wacky hat to show their support and make a small donation.  At Headway North Cumbria we usually run a Hats for Headway event at our Day Centre.  … Continued

In this latest article about what the members of Headway North Cumbria have been doing, we focus on the two weeks before the slight relaxing of lockdown restrictions, in England, announced on 10 May 2020.  The main event during this period … Continued

It is nearly five weeks since the Prime Minister announced the UK lockdown to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  During this period we have all been encouraged to stay at home except for a range of activities: –   shopping … Continued

Headway North Cumbria members have been adjusting to life under lockdown and have developed routines to keep themselves busy and stay safe during these challenging times.  We asked our members to tell us what they have been up to over the Easter period. … Continued

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge effect on all of our lives.  The UK Government policy is clear: Stay at home –    Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home) –  … Continued

Catch up with the latest news and features from Headway, including: Bereavement after brain injury, “Volunteering has helped get my life back on track”, Coping with festivals, Holidays after brain injury and much more! Read Headway News Spring 2020 edition … Continued

Shrove Tuesday is the day in February or March immediately preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in many countries by making and eating pancakes.  Many will know it as “Pancake Day” or “Pancake Tuesday”.  This year Shrove Tuesday falls on 25 February. Pancakes … Continued

On Monday 3 February 2020 a group of members, carers and volunteers from Headway North Cumbria went Ten Pin Bowling at AMF Carlisle.  This was our first outing of the year and, as usual, the activity proved to be popular with many of our … Continued

On Monday 9 December 2019 seventy-six members, volunteers, their support workers and family members from Headway North Cumbria participated in the Branch’s final event of the year, the Christmas Lunch.   Always popular, this was the best attended event of the year and the Function … Continued

On 27 July 2019 Headway North Cumbria participated in water sports in the Lake District.   Some twenty-five members of the branch took to the water along with eleven members from Headway South Cumbria and two from Headway Tyneside.   Platty+ is a small friendly … Continued

The Lake District Calvert Trust is a residential outdoor centre, specialising in activity courses for people with disabilities, their friends, family members and/or colleagues.   The Calvert Trust’s 60-bed centre is based just 4 miles out of Keswick in the heart of the … Continued

In a previous news article – Filming with BBC Look North at Lake District Calvert Trust – it was explained that a group from Headway North Cumbria was filmed by the BBC and photographed by the Lake District Calvert Trust to support a news report … Continued

On Tuesday 30th April 2019 Headway North Cumbria was delighted to be involved with some filming by BBC Look North at the Lake District Calvert Trust. We had been contacted by the Calvert Trust to support them with some filming by BBC Look North … Continued

Look Ahead in the North is an annual residential weekend at The Calvert Trust, Kielder Forest.  This year it was held over the period 22-24 March 2019 and was blessed with good weather rather than the somewhat changeable weather of last year. A … Continued

David Wilson, father of Headway member Helen Wilson, has recently completed what he describes as “Hadrian’s Wall for Headway”.  This sponsored walk was aimed at generating funds for, and raising awareness of Headway North Cumbria and the work that it … Continued