Community Brain Injury

This group is open to service users, family members and the care givers of those who have sustained a brain injury. The weekly sessions aim to:

• promote a general understanding of the brain and common difficulties after injury.

• provide useful information on managing some of these common consequences as a result of a brain injury.

We also recognise the benefits of attendees sharing experiences, and we aim to provide a comfortable environment for group discussions. The group is led by members of the service, and is held at the Isebrook Hospital over six weeks, with each session lasting two hours (including breaks).

Fatigue is the most commonly reported, distressing and persistent symptom by 60 % of people following a brain injury. Although every brain injury is different, fatigue seems to be evident in many cases. We aim to normalise the experience of fatigue following brain injury, and help you to manage your symptoms.

We aim to help you:

• Learn ways to use available energy more effectively.

• Learn ways to develop ‘helpful thinking styles’.

• Relaxation techniques for managing fatigue.

The sessions run over 5 weeks, where we cover a range of topics and also some practical exercises to help manage fatigue. Sessions will run for an hour with a 10-minute rest break.

Based on the Acceptance and commitment Therapy approach, this group aims to help people live richer, fuller lives despite their injuries. It involves teaching practical skills to:

• Increase your awareness of unpleasant thoughts, sensations and emotions and how these affect what you do

• Focus on the ‘here and now’ rather than being caught up in the past or being pulled into future worries

• Identify what is important to you and look at ways to make small steps towards more of the things you value in life.

The group runs over 7 weeks with sessions being two hours long, including breaks.