That this House marks Action for Brain Injury Week, 18-24 May, to raise awareness and understanding of brain injury; welcomes this year’s We see you campaign focused on isolation and loneliness, a common outcome for many brain injury survivors; recognises Headway UK’s survey of survivors and carers which found that almost 9 in 10 individuals with a brain injury, 87%, and carers, 85%, feel lonely after brain injury despite never having felt lonely before the injury, with just under a quarter feeling lonely all the time, 23% and 22%; notes with concern that over half of all brain injury survivors, 56%, and carers, 51%, are no longer socially active following a brain injury, despite having been socially active pre-injury; further notes that fatigue, memory problems and anxiety are the most detrimental effects of brain injury to socialising; further strongly welcomes that 72% of survivors and 71% of carers who attended a Headway charity or volunteer-led branch felt that attending helped them to feel less lonely by helping them to connect with others, giving them space to be themselves, directing them to services they otherwise may not have found and giving them a sense of purpose and direction; and supports the wider work of independent Headway charities and volunteer-led branches across the UK to support brain injury survivors and their loved ones.
