Law firm pledges year-long support for Headway Blackpool!
We are delighted to announce that Vincents Solicitors has partnered with our charity for this Jubilee year. The Lancashire law firm is providing financial, practical and professional support for our charity throughout 2022.
Amy Whitehouse and Zak Croft from Vincents’ private client department will join a small band of volunteers at our weekly drop-in sessions in Blackpool, lending a valuable helping hand to our members.
Vincents is also helping to organise and fund our Jubilee Party on Tuesday May 31st at the Freedom Centre in Mereside’s Langdale Road. Our guests will be treated to a deluxe afternoon tea served up by Vincents staff, with entertainment provided by our members themselves in the form of music, dancing, bingo and a quiz.
Sam Ashcroft, Network Coordinator, said: “The Jubilee party will be a wonderful day out for our members, they’re already so excited and are planning their outfits, making snazzy hats and organising the entertainments. We’re extremely grateful for Vincents’ generous support for the event and their pledge to help us out all year long. With only myself and a dedicated group of volunteers, and 73 members to provide for, that help will be very much appreciated.
“The volunteers will be doing more than just serving refreshments; they’ll be reading out letters for those who struggle following their injury, and helping with practical rehab tasks like baking, using a tablet computer and even riding a bike. We know these activities genuinely help and benefit our members, and provide their carers with some downtime, so having Amy and Zak joining our sessions will be extremely valuable.”
A group of Vincents staff are also attending the Headway Blackpool corporate charity golf day on June 17th at Green Drive Club in Lytham, and will be holding raffles and fundraisers throughout the year.
And plans are in the pipeline for a series of clinics for brain injury victims and their carers to learn about managing legal matters such as applying for deputyships, understanding lasting power of attorney and how to launch a compensation claim.
Our members predominantly victims of brain injuries suffered in adulthood though accident, assault or illness. Around a fifth of members are close carers such as partners, parents and children of victims. Vincents will be recommending Headway Blackpool to their Attorney and Deputyship clients to check out the group and the support it offers.
Lisa Lodge, head of Vincents’s private client department, is delighted that her team nominated Headway Blackpool as the firm’s charity for 2022 and hopes their help will make a real difference for the organisation and its members.
She said: “There is very little community support for victims of brain injuries, especially those without a compensation-funded care plan, so Headway Blackpool fills an enormous gap in provision. The mix of rehabilitation, advice and social time for victims and their carers is so important and we are committed to doing everything we can to support Headway Blackpool during this Jubilee year.”
Our charity not only provides weekly meet-ups but Sam is also called upon to advocate for our members with letters in support of benefits funding applications and legal claims, and provides key information to health providers on behalf of members.
Sam added: “No one plans to suffer a head injury, so when it happens victims and their families are at a total loss over what to do next. They’re thrust into a situation they didn’t choose and find there is very little support once the victim is discharged from hospital.
“We have 73 members but I know there are probably hundreds of people in this area who could benefit from the services, support and friendship that Headway offers. Please please get in touch with me if this sounds like you or someone you care for, we are here for you.”
Headway Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre meets every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Freedom Centre, 8 Langdale Road, Mereside, Blackpool FY4 4RT.
Sessions in May include :
3rd May: Bingo
10th May: Cooking with Rehab for Independence
17th May: Arts and crafts with Lacey Berry at Freedom Centre
24th May Singing with Lucy Williams from Take One
31st May: Jubilee party with Vincent Solicitors
Anyone interested in joining the group, either themselves or someone they care for, should contact Sam for an introductory chat by emailing sam@headwayblackpool.co.uk
Vincents’ Zac Croft and Amy Whitehouse with Headway’s Sam Ashcroft (centre) at the Freedom Centre in Mereside:
