What practical difference do we want to make?

We want to continue and crucially to develop our unique HABIT Programme.  HABIT addresses the problems of a very marginalised group: people of working age with an acquired brain injury.

Having joined the HABIT programme with, typically, high anxiety, low confidence and self-esteem, and often with undiagnosed cognitive issues such as poor memory and concentration, clients will finish with an improvement in all outcome measures, a better understanding of their own difficulties and the strategies to manage them. They are supported throughout by qualified occupational therapists (OTs) specialising in brain injury rehabilitation.

At the outset of the programme clients undertake a self-assessment guided by an OT. They set themselves five key objectives relevant to their life and aspirations. HABIT empowers them to achieve these by the end of the year through rehabilitation and education reinforced with 1:1 support. Towards the end of the programme, clients are supported to seek work, community volunteering, training or other meaningful activity.  Further support, advice and guidance is provided as clients move on.

The community we work with and the challenges it is currently facing.

Each person with ABI has unique rehabilitation needs. NHS Community Rehabilitation is only provided in the first weeks and months post injury.  Many clients need far longer to re-develop skills and achieve their goals. After in-patient rehabilitation patients are discharged into the community unprepared for the challenges they are likely to face. We know from experience that people with ABI often suffer from low self-confidence and high levels of anxiety and depression caused by the hidden disabilities of memory loss, lack of concentration and cognitive difficulties. This in turn can lead to social isolation as they react to change and failure to cope by disengaging from their wider community, which in turn affects prospects for future employment or other activity. People with ABI may be unable to manage their own daily needs and may rely entirely on family carers. They need guidance to move towards greater independence.

The strengths and opportunities we see in our community?

ABI can be devastating for the person directly affected, their family and their employer. However we know from our experience that with sustained, positive and practical support people with ABI can be fulfilled, happy and achieve goals. Outcomes from the latest Habit Programme, have shown the following strengths from our programme:

• 90% of clients had shown significant improvement in their satisfaction with their chosen goals
• 85% had shown significant improvement with their performance with their goals.
• 85% felt that their communication skills had improved
• 85% were less socially isolated and were engaging with more activities within the community. 
• 75% of clients felt that their confidence had improved
• 90% were shown to be less depressed or anxious since the start of the programme.
• 70% of clients felt that they were less dependent on their Carers.

 In 2015/16, of the 24 clients that started the Programme:

• 9 clients have started Volunteering,
• 7 have returned to work,
• 4 are undergoing  training,
• 1 is looking for suitable voluntary work. 
• 3 are doing meaningful activities, such as DIY projects