Our wonderful client Louise has, once again, dedicated a lot of time and effort to journalling her way through the host of activities she enjoyed across the month of July. Thanks Louise – they’re always a lovely read – despite what you say about Craig!
Friday 3rd July 2026 – Cooking Time
Sarah, who is a client of Headway Plymouth, led this cooking session, and I learnt a few new facts about pasties along the way. Pete would have loved to have had a pasty for lunch too, but, as he didn’t help to make them, he didn’t get one. Daniel did help with the cooking though, so he made a big pasty with what was left of the ingredients.
Amanda, who is also a client of Headway Plymouth, brought some homemade tiffin in – they were yummy as usual! I’m still waiting for the carrot cake muffins to make a re-appearance, but no luck so far – I feel bereft!
I also caught up with my blog and played some Scrabble.
Tuesday 7th July 2026 – Clay Club
There was a bit of a disturbance when I arrived at Headway today, as Pete was concerned that I had lost the June blog which he usually emails to Craig when it’s been completed. I had however continued the July blog on from the June blog, which was also with the May blog, so all was well with the world again. Pete then rightfully decided to put the blogs into separate folders so that no-one got confused again, ie. him. I hadn’t been confused by the situation, but it probably makes better sense for Pete now.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had quite a varied week overall, including last week. On Saturday it made a nice change to visit my niece in Chasewater in Cornwall, as she was in an amateur dramatics’ performance there, and then I went for a meal with my dad. It was quite a long day. However, it was nice to get back to a bit of a routine again with going to Headway.
And today, Rachael was back with us for another session, painting and decorating letters which will spell Headway Plymouth Charity, for all to see in the new garden space! There weren’t that many people in attendance today, I suspect mainly due to the hot weather though. However, several people who don’t usually come here on a Tuesday, turned up, so all was well.
I also played several games of Scrabble with Pete, Jo and Jonathan. It’s a rare occurrence for Pete to join in with a game, as he’s usually slaving away in the office. We didn’t see much of Craig as he was playing with his power tool sorting the planters outside, in the garden.
Friday 10th July – Mindful Art
So far, this month seems to be flying past! I was amazed that Emma was back with us again, this time it was to decorate stones with various nature designs. I did a leaf design. Once people had finished decorating their individual stones, Emma varnished each pebble outside, so as not to intoxicate everyone inside. The pebbles will be put outside in the planters when they have dried.
Perla and Tina, our volunteers, made some crepes, containing fruits such as bananas and strawberries, as well as chocolate and Nutella if that’s what people preferred in their crepes. I chose to have strawberries and bananas without chocolate, as I eat enough chocolate outside of Headway as it is. FYI, I can recommend Tesco’s own brand of dark chocolate, which is lush.
I had previously mentioned to some Headway members that I wanted to get some new clothes, so Amanda kindly brought some in for me to try on and have if I wanted them. I modelled them with Jo in the back room, and, as there wasn’t a mirror present, she gave me her opinion, and I know she’s got good taste where clothes are concerned. I will take the rejects to Oxfam in Tavistock, as it’s good to recycle and I volunteer there.
Amanda brought in some homemade meat patties and Congress tarts for us to devour. Unfortunately, the congress tarts had already been eaten by the time I arrived at Headway, so hopefully I’ll get to sample another batch next time she makes them.
Craig suffered an minor injury while strimming the hedge outside the centre and, being a man, was in a lot of pain. Pete also came into the kitchen after lunch, after slaving in the garden, and looking like he’d had a bucket of sweat thrown over him – poor thing. He then showed us his sunburnt feet which had been suffering in this heat, and we all thought that they were quite attractive feet for a man!
Tuesday 14th July – Nature Time
After lunch I managed to play a game of Scrabble with Jo before I left, which was great.
I felt like I could have stayed in bed for longer today, but I dragged myself out and put on the pink T-shirt that Jo had liked the other day. I must admit that it’s nice to wear brighter colours occasionally, but the brighter clothing that I have doesn’t fit me at the moment.
Some of us went on a butterfly hunt in Devonport Park with Laura. Poor ol’ Craig managed to push Chris up and down the path in his wheelchair – an unenvious task in this heat! Laura from Green Communities told us that there are 59 different types of butterflies in the UK, so lookout for the Whites family of butterflies (different shades of white), as well as Painted Ladies, the Commons and the Red Admirals. Mount Wise is rumoured to host the Long-Tailed Blue butterfly, so do keep an eye out for them if you’re over that way.
Pete, who fears any insect, butterflies included, was tormented by Jo when on the walk – it didn’t take much. But, due to his wariness of such things, he was excellent at spotting butterflies. It was also suggested that it would be a good idea to install pots of nectar in Pete’s office and wait for the screams to begin!
Callie, who is doing her Work Experience week at Headway Plymouth, also came on the walk. She wants to do Psychology, so this will contribute to her experience.
After lunch I played Scrabble with Craig, Jo and Callie. Craig was in an excellent mood and kept serenading everyone in the room. If only he could sing!
Unexpectedly, it was James’s last day at Headway today, so he was given a card and pen to remember us by.
Friday 17th July 2026 – Garden Opening Day
Today was the grand opening of Headway Plymouth’s first ever outside space, which is intended to be enjoyed by Headway clients and their families, as well as the wider community.
The Brain Food Garden is the collaboration of various charities, community groups, community interest companies, educational establishments, local authorities, and global, national and local businesses. It’s the first phase in the re-development of our outside space which will hopefully see the garden expand into the wider park – to create a much large area for Headway to engage with clients and their families.
The garden will also become a place where families can spend quality time together in a peaceful setting, helping to rebuilding relationships that are often affected by the life-changing impact of brain injury. For many Headway Plymouth clients, simply having an attractive outdoor space to enjoy with others can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety, loneliness and isolation.
Babcock kindly paid for the generous spread that was put on, and Craig offered to reimburse them for it but has not yet received a receipt. Fareshare South West also gave Headway Plymouth loads of crisps and drinks as an extra donation.
I managed to get quite a lot on my plate and, as I had to leave earlier than usual, nicked a couple of muffins to take with me!
Tuesday 21st July – Stitch and Splodge
Louise was back at the Centre to enable clients to create their own bespoke bookmarks. Some clients such as Cassie and Dave excelled at this activity, whereas I found it way too fiddly. I did eventually make a bookmark for my dad with a lot of help from Louise, but I chose too tricky a design. This wasn’t my favourite session as a result.
Friday 24th July 2026 – Cooking is Fun
Tami and Mirium were back to make pork and vegetable skewers with the clients. I helped to prep some of the veg, such as courgettes, cucumbers, peppers and onions. The pork was thoroughly cooked through by Daniel. Separate vegetarian skewers were also made.
I thought that the couscous was lovely and light and it was all well-cooked. As is the norm, clients got a recipe of what they’d made together in the session.
Tuesday 28th July – Sound Bath Therapy
Jo (not Headway Jo) led the session today. She is the founder of Meliorate, which means to improve or make better. Jo used different instruments to create relaxing (and not so relaxing) sounds which were used at certain times during this session. These sounds aim to help to realign a person’s central nervous system, lower stress and to contribute to a better night’s sleep.
Some clients and staff were so relaxed that they would have fallen off their seats if they hadn’t laid their head on the nearest table. I enjoyed listening to the various sounds and doing the recommended breath – work. A couple of clients found it less relaxing, but it’s different strokes for different folk. Pete looked like he was having a well-earned nap and I thought he was about to start snoring at one point!
It’s likely that the next Sound Bath session that’s on the Headway Plymouth timetable will be a bit shorter, due to different clients’ reaction to sounds and their ability to concentrate or focus. I still look forward to it, though.
Friday 31st July 2026 – Get Moving with Megan
Unfortunately, I missed this fitness session, as I caught up with a friend instead. However, I made it back to Headway in time for lunch and to add on to my blogs. I then chatted to a few people and played a couple of games of my beloved Scrabble, to try to keep the grey matter going.
I’ll try to remember to play Scrabble with Brian next Friday, as we keep saying that we will, but never actually get around to doing it!
Louise
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