Welcome to Headway Plymouth
Who are we?
Headway Plymouth is an independent, non-profit charity with over 35 years of experience in supporting individuals, families and carers affected by acquired brain injury (and the professionals who work with them).
Our mission is to help survivors regain independence and improve their quality of life through specialist social and cognitive rehabilitation and re-enablement.
We provide tailored support for adults with brain injuries, as well as respite and guidance for their families and carers. Our services include centre-based rehabilitation, group programmes and one-to-one outreach support – all designed to promote independence, self-esteem and overall well-being.
What’s Happening at Headway Plymouth?
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Where has another month gone?
Thankfully we have our wonderful client, Louise, to remind us what we did at Headway Plymouth during June!
Thank you, as always, Louise for your wonderful words and contribution to the charity.
Tuesday 2nd June 2026 Quiz time with Jo
I added some things to my blog from last week and started on this one, whilst we were waiting for Jo to compile the quiz for today. I got 33/40 on the quiz, so I was pleased. Apart from that, I continued with my letter to my Dutch pen pal and played several games of Scrabble.
Thursday 4th June 2026, Women’s Peer Group with Jo
Jo compiled a fun multiple-choice quiz for us to take part in. More women than usual attended the session and we all had a good time, chatting about anything and everything.
Friday 6th June 2026 – Bingo!
Amy and Jo took it in turns to shout out the various numbers. Unfortunately, I didn’t win yet again, but Anna did (as usual), as well as Brian, who chose candles as a prize, to irritate his sister. We had a good ol’ laugh during the Bingo game and I managed to squeeze a game of Scrabble in before lunch.
It was Connor’s last day at Headway today – he was another one of the paramedic students who did a placement with us. He’ll be doing his exams soon, so good luck to him!
Tuesday 9th June 2026 - Mindful Art Club CIC
It would have been great to have had a lie-in this morning, but I rarely ever do. However, Emma was at Headway, raring to go with a bit of mindfulness and some artwork. Thankfully, today we just did some scratch artwork, which I found relaxing.
Apart from that I had a chat with others, played some Scrabble and attempted to type more to my Dutch pen pal.
Friday 12th June 2026 - Clay club with Rachael
I ended up making the letter T for Headway Plymouth, along with a design which went wrong. Other clients did the other lettering. These letters will be put on planters outside of the Headway Plymouth building once they’ve been fired in the kiln, glazed, painted by the clients, and they will somehow be fixed to a board outside.
Tuesday 16th June 2026 – Food Is Fun CIC
Tami led the cooking session today, along with Mirium, her colleague, and several of the clients prepped the ingredients. I also participated with the preparation and helped to make a small quiche without cheese for my lunch. Fruit salad was for dessert. Pete was being fussy, as he doesn’t like mushrooms and wasn’t keen on having peas in a quiche. As you know, peas are fibrous and added a different flavour, so I was content. I prefer a crustless quiche really, but it was tasty anyway.
Friday 19th June 2026 – Cooking with Tina and Perla
Perla and Tina, who are Psychology students and who have been volunteering at Headway since March, showcased one of their favourite pasta dishes with the clients today. I’m not usually keen on pasta, but as I helped to make it, which I found relatively easy, I thought it best to try it. It was quite messy to make, but also fun. According to Perla, it was one part egg to 100 grams of flour if you’d like to have a go at making it yourself. The tomato sauce that accompanied the pasta was very tasty, and some people had garlic bread and cheese as an added extra.
Pete also remarked that the clients were more engaged with this activity than they usually are. I think that was due to the fact Tina and Perla put on an eighties playlist, which also helped matters.
I finally finished the letter to my Dutch pen pal, so I can relax for the time being, where that’s concerned. Then I played a game of Scrabble with Brian and Jonathan to finish the day off.
Tuesday 23rd June 2026 – Chill Time at the centre
Both Headway clients and staff were supposed to be going on a boat trip to Mount Edgcumbe for a picnic, in addition to some Mindful Barnepool Beach Relaxation from Jess, of Plymouth Sound Marine Park. Unfortunately, the trip had to be cancelled due to the heat wave and the likely effects it would have had on clients. Hopefully, Headway will be able to book another boat trip etc, when the weather is cooler.
A lot of us at Headway struggle to regulate our body temperatures – I certainly have since the age of nine, when I suffered the effects of an unknown benign brain tumour imploding, causing significant brain damage. I was therefore quite relieved that there would be no trip there today, as it really saps my energy. I’ve also mislaid my glasses with transition lenses, which is extremely annoying!
Anyway, I caught up with my blog, played Uno with others, did some exercises and played Scrabble.
Friday 26th June - Gentle Fitness with Megan
Unfortunately, my dad didn’t want to loosen up at the fitness session today. Apparently, he went for a fry-up instead which won’t help his hernias (Ernie and Bernie) in the long - term. I however was present and correct and thoroughly enjoyed the exercise session – thankfully it wasn’t too hot today!
I played several games of Uno with others before lunch, and I won a couple of them, so I was pleased.
After lunch I typed up my blog and had a game of Scrabble with Jonathan.
Tuesday 30th June – Chill Time
Jo was supposed to be giving us a quiz to do today, but, as only a few turned up, we didn’t end up doing one. I was a tad miffed as a result, but Jo did some riddles instead, which I totally failed at! Craig excelled himself when tested, and I was amazed!
It was quite nice just having a few of us in and I did play numerous games of Uno and a couple of games of Scrabble.
Louise.
We’re so excited to be reaching the end of phase 1 of our green space project.
A new seating area, accessible walkway, and a bunch of planters - with a wheelchair accessible planter too.
Today we braved the heat and planted a huge collection of herbs, berries, flowers an shrubs - all of which are going to need a good soaking in the coming days.
Huge thanks again to YGS Landscapes who lined and filled the planters with soil and compost. Thanks to Alex Watson from Forgotten Corner landscapes who gave up her time to source, deliver and lead the planting.
Thanks also to Taylor Adams from Babcock who gave us her “Be Kind Day” volunteering efforts, to nursing students, Caroline and Valentina who spent the day with us and our clients and team who mucked in as well!
Check out our forthcoming peer support groups.
At our men’s peer support group yesterday we looked at the effects of heat on brain injuries.
We also explored the need for prioritising, planning and pacing - and effects of crowds and alcohol - for those going out to watch late night World Cup football.
Thankfully we had our air conditioning cranked up and plenty of water to keep us cool and hydrated.
A reminder that on the next two Thursdays:
Thurs 2nd July 10:30 - Women’s Peer Support
Thurs 9th July 11:00 - FND Peer Support
Our FND peer support is hosted in partnership with the amazing FND FrieNDs.
Both free and at our air conditioned Devonport based centre hub!
The amazing Jeremy Carr completes his fundraising challenge for Headway Plymouth
He did it! And he did it in the heat
Jeremy smashed his fundraising cycling challenge at the Dartmoor Classic.
Jeremy is the incredible survivor of a brain aneurysm on 30 April 2025. Last month, in the sweltering heat, he took on the challenge of a 45 mile cycle ride across Dartmoor to raise vital funds for Headway Plymouth.
You can still support Jeremy and Headway Plymouth by scanning the QR code on the poster or clicking on the link below to make a donation (don’t forget to add Gift Aid).
Please support Jeremy and Headway Plymouth by scanning the QR code on the poster or clicking here to make a donation (don’t forget to add Gift Aid).
- Letters From Louise – May 2026
Here’s the latest blog from our amazing client, Louise, who reflects on activities at Headway Plymouth in May. Friday 1st May – Mindful Art Club CIC Well, it was a lovely sunny day today and everyone seemed to be in a good place when Emma did the rounds, along with some mindfulness, of course. We … Continued - Letters from Louise – April 2026Here’s the latest blog our wonderful client, Louise – who’s updated us on activities at Headway Plymouth in April 2026. Wednesday 1st April 2026 – Chill Time at Headway As you already know, this isn’t one of my usual days here. However, as it’s Good Friday in a couple of days and Headway will be … Continued
- Karen Triumphs in her 2026 London Marathon Challenge
She’s only gone and done it. In hot hot conditions and with “less than perfect training” (her words), Karen has completed her first mass participation road marathon and what a doozy to start with. The most finishers in the fastest competitive marathon ever! We hope you had the most unforgettable day and an experience that … Continued
What’s On?
Devonport Centre Opening Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
By Appointment only
0900 – 1500
0900 – 1500
1000 – 1400
0900 – 1500
Closed
Closed
Thursdays are dedicated to our peer support groups which typically take place from 1030 – 1230. Please check our Peer Support page for details of groups, dates and times.
