Headway Plymouth

14 hours ago

Wow - where did August go?! The end of another month means that our client, Louise, has been busy jotting down her experiences at Headway Plymouth in the sweltering heat of August.

Thank you, as always, Louise for taking the time to keep this wonderful journal of your time with us

Tuesday 4th August

Today I felt pretty tired after having binge-watched Bridgerton last night until the early hours of the morning but managed to drag myself in to Headway.

I played Scrabble and tried to type up some bullet points I’d made for my Dutch pen pal but to also use in another letter to an American pen pal, who I stopped writing to for a while due to circumstances, but who I play Quiz Planet against on Facebook. She sent me a postcard the other day and I then thought that it would be nice to start writing, or in my case these days, typing to her again. We’re hoping to meet up when she’s next in the UK.
Anyway, due to the internet being down, I was unable to save what I’d already typed up, so Jonathan said he’d leave the computer on so that he could save it for me the following day, as it was Headway’s closing time – phew!

Some of the other clients played Boccia and enjoyed themselves, even Chris joined in, which was great.

Thursday 6th August 2026 – Women’s Group

It wasn’t a big group today but it but it was comfortable and a new client joined us, so it was good to get to know her, and she seemed to enjoy being with us. Hopefully we’ll see her again next month, if not before.

Jo was in her element and got everyone talking, as usual. The only issue for me was the fact that there was no semi-skimmed milk, only full fat – yuck! Apart from that, there was a lot of chat and laughter at the Centre.

Amanda has finally promised to make some carrot cake muffins for me next week, so I’m holding her to that!

We discussed what book genres we’re into. I must admit that I don’t like crime novels, it’s mainly light romance novels these days. Rebecca arrived late to proceedings, but it was good to see her again, as it’s rare these days due to her schedule and her condition.

I also checked on my blogs etc, which Jonathan had managed to save for me.

Friday 7th August 2026 – Cooking with Jo

After doing a bit of bonding and shopping with my dad at Morrisons on Outland Road, we arrived at Headway. I almost immediately started a game of Scrabble with Brian (finally) and Lana.

Jo was busy recruiting people to help her prepare the lunch for today. As I was already pre-occupied with the Scrabble, other clients chopped up various vegetables and chicken to go with the rice. This was a very healthy and tasty recipe, and the rice was very fine, making it easier to digest.

My dad had two helpings of it (no surprise there), but it was also nourishing food for his hernias Ernie and Bernie (I’m a woman, so I name things). I later learned that he had also had a bacon bap beforehand, as well as one of Amanda’s homemade pasties – unbelievable!

Jo typed up and printed the recipe for us all to make at home. I hadn’t realised that there was any egg in the recipe until I read that it had been put in. This made sense to me though as it did taste a bit like egg-fried rice. This certainly looks like something I could easily make at home, and/or adapt to use as a stir-fry instead – without the rice.

It was relatively busy at Headway today, and the pool table was well used by clients which doesn’t usually happen on my watch. I managed to have a few games of Uno for a change with Jo and other clients, so it was good to use a different part of my brain.

Tuesday 11th August - Quiz and Chill Time

Jo made up a quiz for us to do. I had thought that I’d done well but there were six answers that I was unsure of. I really must try to remember that it’s the Pacific Ocean that’s the largest – I fail every time that question comes up!

Pete also made a lovely omelette for me for lunch, so I was well pleased. I then caught up on my blog for today and added another bullet point with info for the next letter that I eventually end up typing to the American pen pal – I’m just trying to get enough content to fill up a couple of pages…

Friday 14th August – Dental Group Visit

Plymouth Dental Access Team paid us another visit to see how we were getting on and to remind us how to care for our teeth. It was good to see them again. I am one for eating chocolate and at the wrong times. However, I do try to rinse my mouth or chew sugar-free chewing gum after eating the chocolate. One good thing is that I rarely ever have Coca Cola and, if I have an orange soda, at least it’s been diluted a bit. I drink a reasonable amount of decaf tea at home and coffee when I’m out.

The mouth hides bacteria, which can then cause other health issues, including for example, your heart. It’s very important to clean your teeth twice a day, especially at night, as your mouth dries out during the night, whereas it’s less likely to during the day, unless you’ve had a stroke. We were also told about more flexible toothbrushes which, if your dexterity isn’t good, can get in the awkward crevasses more easily.

This Access team provides cheaper dental appointments for anyone within the Plymouth / Ivybridge postcodes, and they are more aware of how to treat people if they have anxiety, for example, and can then make it a more pleasant experience for the client.

When my brother was in St. Lukes, he was hoping to have his hip pinned as the cancer had weakened it. He used to have healthy teeth but, after being on certain drugs, this led to his teeth deteriorating and he had to have a filling prior to having his hip pinned. Unfortunately, his condition worsened due to the cancer, and he died before he could have the operation on his hip.

Tuesday 18th August – Games and Puzzles

Apparently, today’s session was supposed to include a fitness activity, as organised by Craig. However, the staff who were present thought that someone was coming to Headway to run the session, but there was some miscommunication from Craig, (who had scheduled it in his diary) and the staff. And Craig was in Menorca!

I added to my last blog and started on this one and drank several cups of coffee to keep me going. I was amazed that I managed to get quite a lot done this morning, prior to coming to Headway. I even caught up with playing Quiz Planet.

After my brother died, I didn’t play it for a while and therefore a couple of other players got too far ahead of me. It’s taken a long time to increase my score again but I’m trying to be more focused to get ahead of my opponents again. It’s a great quiz and is ideal if you want a bit of a challenge and to learn new things, and it’s easily accessible on Facebook.

I managed to play numerous games of Scrabble and Uno, so I was pleased. Everyone felt rather tired in this heat though, and I think that the staff will be glad to get home to relax and restore themselves.

Friday 21st August – Food Is Fun CIC with Tami

When I arrived at the Centre today, I immediately spied some of the Hobnobs that Amanda had made. I managed to eat one of them and it was nice and chewy, so I gave her a big thumbs – up!

Devon and Cornwall Police also made a visit to Headway this morning to discuss ways in which Headway Plymouth could support repeat offenders. It was suggested that someone like Naomi could do a regular counselling session for these individuals at the Harbour Centre, to help them rehabilitate back into our society, and for them to feel more worthwhile and to hopefully not re-offend.

I walked into the kitchen, and Tami engaged me in making Hummus, whereas other clients were chopping up vegetables in preparation for the indoor picnic, which also consisted of cooked chicken.

I then helped with the making of Eton Mess which, of course, was messy. I felt too full after the main course, so I didn’t have the Eton Mess for dessert, but my dad did, as well as others. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals and some of the clients took recipes home with them.

I managed to get a couple of games of Scrabble in with Perla and Brian, while I was at Headway.

It was James’s last day with us at Headway. He’s been volunteering here over the summer to gain some experience. He’s hoping to do Medicine at Uni, if he gets the grades, so we may see him again in the future.

Tuesday 25th August 2026 – Bingo!

Jo and then Amy (when Jo almost lost her voice) called out the numbers, and I actually won a prize for once – hurrah! However, at the beginning of the game, I had an altercation with a red bingo dabber, and it looked like there had been a blood bath! I was relieved that the liquid didn’t get on my clothes, as I was wearing one of my favourite tops.

Jonathan (not the Headway employee) joined us for today and tomorrow for some work experience, as he’s hoping to do a Physiotherapy course at Uni next year.

I got in a few games of Scrabble with Jonathan (visitor) and Daniel and had a chat with others before I had to get the bus into town to meet up with a friend.

Wednesday 26th August – Chill Time!

I don’t usually go to Headway on a Wednesday but thought I would as I’ve not done so for a while and can leave home later than I normally do. Although, for some reason I got up much earlier than intended, but got a few things done which would otherwise have been rushed.

When I arrived at the Centre today, shortly followed by Neil (a Headway client who only tends to come on a Wednesday), both the staff and clients were playing the game ‘Who am I?’. After several others had been given characters to guess, I was given a real person – Hitler!, and I got it right thankfully, after going through quite a few nationalities.

Jonathan (visitor) said that he’s interested in doing Neurophysiology at Uni, but this month, before coming to Headway Plymouth, he spent time at Plymouth Neurophysio, the Community Neuro physio at Mount Gould hospital and the Merlin Therapy Centre at St. Austell.

He’s had an interest in Neuroscience since he completed his degree in Microbiology and Human Physiology in 2008, but he’s had a particular interest in physiotherapy since looking after his mum, after helping her with her rehabilitation when she had COPD, which really impacted her when she pneumonia and later started getting chest infections.

Unfortunately, she passed away in 2024. Jonathan has been invited back to visit us whenever he’d like to.

I caught up with my blog, interrogating Jonathan (visitor) as well, added yet another bullet point to a prospective letter to my pen pals, and played several games of Scrabble with Jonathan (employee) and Jo.

All in all, I had a good time at Headway today.

Friday 28th August - Fitness with Megan

It was good to see Megan back at Headway again. My dad also came along and joined in with the fitness session, as it helps him – he’s getting a tad decrepit now as he’s a few years off 80.

Mind you, I also find it very beneficial, as do many other clients here. I think that the sessions are fun, with some good music – this time mainly Dolly Parton tracks, as she’s just died.

I had a chat with Fiona from Plymouth City Council, who commissions services in the community for anyone with eligible needs. I, and other clients of Headway Plymouth completed a questionnaire for Fiona, so that she can evaluate how we feel about the service that is being provided for us here.

Amanda made a load of chocolate hobnobs, which we all appreciated, as usual.

Today was Perla’s last day with us. She's a masters degree psychology student at University of Plymouth. She’s been a brilliant help here at Headway Plymouth and will be sorely missed. She’s off back to her native Canada but will pay us another visit in December.

I managed to squeeze in a couple of games of Scrabble to end my day at Headway.

Louise ... See MoreSee Less

Headway Plymouth

2 days ago

What's on at Headway Plymouth this week. - mailchi.mp/9920a30dbc32/next-week-at-headway-plymouth-6749050 ... See MoreSee Less