Highland brain injury charity wins big on The National Lottery’s community fund share-out
A community group that helps people with acquired brain injury across the Highlands has been awarded awarded a five-figure sum by the National Lottery.
Headway Highland will use their big win of £78,102 to continue their programme of group meetings, outings, and activities such as walking and gardening.
The charity provides support to people with ABI, and also to their families and carers.
More than 500 community projects share in this latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, totalling £17,341,549.
The money will be directed towards bringing local people together and providing essential services across Scotland.
Fifty-year-old Mary-Anne Morrison, from Inverness suffered an ABI several years ago, and after struggling with feelings of isolation and lack of confidence she contacted Headway Highland.
Once she had joined the group Mary-Anne quickly began to grow in confidence and forge new friendships. Now she regularly volunteers at the charity’s allotment.
Mary-Anne said: “Headway Highland is a fantastic charity that has helped me so much. It is brilliant to be with people who do not judge you and are so wonderfully supportive.
“I have made some lovely friendships and taken part in so many great activities that I would not have been able to do had I not been part of Headway Highland.”
Charity Manager, Lee Gordon said “Our support groups are a powerful way for the people we support and their families to find a positive way forward with their lives following the often devastating consequences of an acquired brain injury.
“People often suffer on their own and when they take the courageous step to come along to one of our support groups they feel hugely relieved that they are not alone and can begin on their road to recovery. That is why Mary-Anne is a real inspiration to others in our group.
“This funding from the National Lottery Community Fund will allow us to focus on developing our Headway Highland to further meet the needs of the people we support.”
Commenting on the new funding, founder, Lisa Davidson said: "With this new National Lottery funding we will run three additional needs support groups in the Ross & Cromarty area. These groups offer these families a space where they can get together to have fun, try new things and build friendship.
“We offer things like gardening, crafts, baking and games, to name a few. These groups are the first of their kind north of Inverness with many families previously having no options available to them when it came to getting together with peers or to have fun as a family.
“They really are a lifeline to those who attend with a massive positive impact being had. Some attendees reported that they had not been out of the house for several years before our service arrived!”
The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland chair, Kate Still, said: “As The National Lottery approaches its 30th birthday it’s wonderful to see how the funding continues to help change lives for the better and just what can be accomplished when people join forces for a shared purpose or to support one another.
“National Lottery players should be proud to know the money they raise is supporting people across the Highlands to lead happier and healthier lives.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
