After Halloween fun last week and ahead of fireworks today, it’s time to catch up with client, Louise, and her monthly blog of her time at Headway Plymouth last month.
Thanks, as always, Louise, for taking the time to records your memories of the last month!
Thursday 1st October 2026 – Women’s Peer Support
Jo was her usual manic self at the session – she should have her own stand-up comedy act! She certainly kept us all entertained. Everyone described how their week had been and how they were feeling in themselves. With some people it takes longer for them to think about what they want to say, and then to say it out loud. But just getting people to remember what happened and to express it, helps a person’s mental cognition.
Apparently, a lady called Julie was supposed to be giving us a talk about Bowen Therapy. But was unable to attend the session. So, hopefully we’ll see her another time instead, as, from what Jo told us, it’s very beneficial.
Friday 2nd October 2026 – Art with Julie
Julie, who is a friend of Jo’s, was coaxed into doing an art session with Headway Plymouth. We did some sky and sea scenes and I quite enjoyed myself, despite not being artistic in that respect. My mum would have been brilliant at that sort of thing, as she was doing detailed scenes when she was a child. It was good that this was quite relaxed and easily adaptable if you make a mistake with this scene though, as I’m pretty useless at art.
Julie was very helpful, enthusiastic and encouraging. Hopefully she’ll be back again to work with us!
I finished off my blogs for last month so that Pete could email them off to Craig, who’s been skiving (ok, he was on leave)!
Tuesday 6th October – Chill time with the Team
Today clients were due to be helping to make mushroom soup and spicy lentil soup, as well as bread. Some clients were reluctant to do this but Amy got stuck in. I arrived at Headway later than the other clients.
I had the spicy lentil soup for lunch, as well as fresh bread that Amy made, and it was yummy. I’m not that keen on spicy food in general, but I thought that it would be better for my bowels, regarding the lentils! Apart from that, I played several games of Scrabble.
Before I forget to tell you, I received a letter from my Dutch pen pal three days after I had posted a reminder letter to her, and her letter was much longer than they usually are. I’m still waiting for the Swedish pen pal’s letter, but at least they didn’t cross over.
Friday 9th October 2026 – Bingo!
I’d thought that I’d be late into the Bingo session this morning, due to my dad. However, we were well in time for it, and I didn’t have an accident with the red dabber this time, so all went well, apart from not winning any prizes yet again! Pete and Jo were the hosts with the most, and Anna won something as usual!
She even won money at Buzz Bingo in Plymouth the other day, although I also won some money when I met friends there.
After the Bingo game, I played Scrabble with Brian and then with Pete. My dad was hiding in the quiet room most of the time but surfaced for the lunchtime pizzas – I had peppers and mushrooms, whereas other people had other toppings such as salami.
Tuesday 13th October 2026 – Mindful Art Club CIC
Emma was back to do some mindfulness, followed by some colourful artwork. As I’m rubbish at drawing, I asked Emma to draw a flower for me. She had brought along various types of donated papers to use, to decorate a person’s picture. I chose gold paper, in addition to orange crepe paper. We had to then cut our chosen papers into squares and stick them to the white paper, a bit like a with mosaics.
I was glad that Miranda (our speech and language therapy student volunteer) was sat next to me, as it was quite fiddly and I had to get her to assist with sticking some of the orange pieces on, to finish my masterpiece by the end of the art session. I was very pleased with the finished result. I think that the best picture was done by Judy, who did a colourful turtle.
Afterwards, Jonathan made me a love pitta bread containing bacon and mushrooms, with cherry tomatoes on the side – yum!!
I then played a few games of Scrabble with Jo and Jonathan. I didn’t have time to start on a letter to my American pen pal but hopefully will be able to start it on Friday, if all goes well.
Friday 16th October – ABI Awareness with Penny
I was a real shame that my dad wasn’t present at this particular session, as I think it would have helped him, or at least given him more insight into my situation. My mum would have come along, as she was a huge supporter of my condition and how it affected me etc, but she died over 10 years ago now.
As you’re probably aware, Acquired Brain Injuries can affect both the person it happened to, as well as friends, family, particularly in social situations. I personally have met professionals with little or no understanding of people living with the varying, but in many respects, similar effects and/ or hidden disabilities, which can be damaging to a vulnerable person and make them feel unheard.
I have only attended one of the sessions given by Penny before, as it fell on a day when I wasn’t usually at the Centre. So, I was pleased that she’d be there today. I asked her to give us a quick summary of the topics that she would normally cover at different times, and these consist of:
1. Anatomy – the various parts of the brain that control how the body functions
2. Fatigue – (as opposed to tiredness) managing energy levels
3. Memory/Concentration – the different types of memory and strategies to cope
4. Executive Function – how to process information and control our own behaviours
5. Families and Relationships – ensuring that others understand the effects of brain injuries
6. Social / Leisure / Purpose – to support initiation, connection, learning and pleasure
I thought that it was a very interesting and informative session. Apparently, Penny will be supporting both families and carers, whereas Naomi will be helping people with both education and awareness. Penny has been trying to retire, but her work – commitments just seem to keep increasing!
Apart from that, I played several games of Uno with other clients and a game of Scrabble with Jo.
Tuesday 20th October 2026 – Quiz of the week.
Jo was on form with the questions today, and even Pete took part whilst trying to multi-task. I was relieved that the correct answers weren’t always the first option this time. I got 37 out of 40 answers correct, so I was pretty pleased.
I ended up playing games of Uno and Scrabble with both staff and clients, both before and after lunch which was great.
Cody also re-joined us (as a psychology student volunteer) after going back home and doing a summer job, so we were all very pleased to see her again.
I finally got around to typing out and then posting a letter to an American pen pal, so I was relieved. Jo will be off on her hols soon – lucky thing, but also well-deserved.
Friday 23rd October 2026
Rachael was meant to be running her clay club session at Headway today but, due to amber weather warnings, that didn’t take place. These weather warnings seem to be pretty hit and miss to me, as the weather wasn’t that bad and there were quite a few people at Headway when I arrived, with my dad in tow.
I must admit that we were both surprised to see so many people at Headway! Craig had suggested that clients didn’t travel in unless necessary, due to the weather warnings, but as my dad was willing to take me there, I wasn’t worried. I also don’t have much faith in bad weather predictions these days, and I’m usually proved right. So, in the end, Craig missed out on a pleasant day at Headway!
Pete got out of his office and to be with the staff and clients more today, which was good for all concerned.
Tuesday 27th October 2026 – Halloween Crafting
Not that many people were at the centre today, but Tuesdays are reasonably quiet anyway. I was feeling much better than at the weekend, after having a flu jab, so I was glad that I was able to attend today.
Pete had brought some pumpkins in and few of the clients carved those. I mainly played games of Uno, Scrabble and pool instead. I also caught up with my blogs.
Friday 30th October 2026 – Fitness with Megan
I was glad to see Megan back at Headway again, as I felt that I really needed to get my circulation going after not feeling brilliant health – wise since last week, which wasn’t then helped by having to have a flu jab last Saturday. I haven’t been to the gym for a week, so it was good to have some fun as well as exercise, and without using machines. Megan put on some Halloween – themed songs and we all had a good jig to them.
I had thought that I’d start on another letter to my Dutch pen pal, but then I couldn’t be bothered, as she hadn’t written for a couple of months at least.
I did play a couple of games of Scrabble with Jonathan and Dupri and had a bit of a chat with others.
It was Kerry’s last day as one of Anna’s carer’s today, but she will pop in to see us and Anna unofficially on some Fridays instead.
Louise
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