Headway Thames Valley

Headway Thames Valley Headway Thames Valley works to improve life after brain injury. It provides support, services and i

Headway Thames Valley is based in Henley on Thames and serves people in the Thames Valley area (Berkshire, Oxfordshire). Services overview:
- Day centre based at Brunner Hall, Henley on Thames
This service runs four days a week and provides a variety of activities including Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, cognitive stimulation, art and music therapy, trips out and therapeutic games.

- Sat

ellites
Three satellites run in the local area extending our services to clients that are moving towards greater independence. These days include cooking, trips to the Oracle to practice new techniques and coping strategies, days out, gym sessions, cognitive exercises and much more.

- Clinical Counselling
Headway provides free, confidential professional counselling in a supportive environment either in a Headway centre or in the home for those with acquired brain injury and also for their families and carers.

- Living with Brain Injury Courses
This is a six or twelve week program run in Reading and Bracknell. The course aims to provide insight and information on clients’ conditions. Part of the course is for carers and families.

- Family and Carer Support
Headway provides support to families and carers as well as information and guidance through the minefield of legal and medical jargon and use of other available services.

- Raising Awareness
Headway works to raise awareness of brain injury and its effects. We are able to come along to meetings and events to talk about this and our work locally. If you would like us to come along to your meetings please contact us.

- Outreach and community support
There are many further clients who we maintain contact with and provide counselling, home and hospital visits and we also support their families and carers – these services are all provided free to the client and are open to anyone who contacts us.

Know someone taking on a seriously impressive challenge for a great cause? Thanks to givestar, fundraisers with bold, hi...
20/08/2026

Know someone taking on a seriously impressive challenge for a great cause?

Thanks to givestar, fundraisers with bold, high-impact challenges can apply for the Adventure for Good Grant, a £250,000 funding pot to help cover costs like travel, gear and logistics.

Whether you’re cycling across continents, trekking remote landscapes or chasing a world record, this grant could help you go further and focus on making a bigger impact.

Applications close 31st August 2026. Apply or refer someone: https://buff.ly/pFqdOqO

Tag someone who should see this!

Earlier this month we had the final session of our latest Living With Brain Injury Course, which took place in Maidenhea...
18/08/2026

Earlier this month we had the final session of our latest Living With Brain Injury Course, which took place in Maidenhead.

It was great to see this group come together, share experiences and support one another over the past few weeks. Some of them agreed to share their stories, so soon we'll publish more client cases, stay tuned!

Well done to everyone who took part 💙

The Living With Brain Injury Course is free and open to anyone rebuilding life after a brain injury, offering practical support and the chance to connect with others on a similar journey. Get in touch if you'd like to hear about the next one! They're usually held somewhere around Berkshire or South Oxfordshire.

Join Bob in saving £1 a day to donate to Big Give in December 💙Bob started walking every day in February to raise awaren...
16/08/2026

Join Bob in saving £1 a day to donate to Big Give in December 💙

Bob started walking every day in February to raise awareness and support people living with brain injury. He’s now approaching 200 days, taking in the scenery around his local park along the way.

He reminds us that we’re approaching roughly 100 days until The Big Give in December, one of our biggest fundraising times of the year.

So, if you spare £1 a day starting today, you’ll have £100 ready to donate to support people living with brain injury by then!

So, why not take a walk, enjoy some time outside and start your £1-a-day countdown with Bob?

We hope Bob’s photos inspire you, and feel free to send us yours too!

Wear a helmet! That’s our daily reminder to protect your brain during activities where a fall or serious accident could ...
14/08/2026

Wear a helmet! That’s our daily reminder to protect your brain during activities where a fall or serious accident could happen.

A recent study found that less than 6% of e-scooter riders admitted to a major trauma unit in England and Wales between 2020–2022 were wearing a helmet.

The researchers compared e-scooter injuries with motorcycle and bicycle injuries, and while e-scooter riders were only 4% of the cases studied, a much higher proportion of their injuries affected the head. The study suggests that small wheels and a standing riding position both play a role in why e-scooter falls are more likely to injure the head, as it pitches the body forward, head-first, during sudden stops.

It’s worth knowing that these figures are from patients admitted with serious injuries, not all accidents, so they only show what happens in the most severe cases.

The study, called “E-scooter riders sustain more head and internal injuries than motorcyclists and cyclists in England and Wales,” was published in Scientific Reports and the authors argue that regulations need to keep pace with micromobility to help make it safer.

What happens when you first reach out to us?Whether you’ve referred yourself or been referred by someone else, it always...
12/08/2026

What happens when you first reach out to us?

Whether you’ve referred yourself or been referred by someone else, it always starts with a conversation with Heather, our Client Services Coordinator.

Client M was recently referred to us by the Stroke Association after having a severe stroke, and we’re now supporting her through our online support group. One of her main challenges has been managing fatigue, and she has learned how important it is to pace herself.

She shared with Heather: “Just a note to thank you for a really informative and uplifting meeting. You got me well and I’ve been swimming around in treacle for so many months. I appreciated being able to let someone else take control and help me.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from support, head to our website or simply leave us a DM, and we’ll guide you through it 💙

We're incredibly grateful that the Reading Male Voice Choir has chosen to kick off its new concert season with a fundrai...
10/08/2026

We're incredibly grateful that the Reading Male Voice Choir has chosen to kick off its new concert season with a fundraising performance to support our work 💙

Join them on Saturday 3rd October at 7pm at All Saints Church, Reading, for what promises to be a wonderful evening of music. The concert will also feature Lucy John, winner of the Gwyn Arch Young Singers' Competition.

Every ticket sold helps support local people living with brain injury and their families, so if you're looking for a great evening out while supporting a local charity, we'd love to see you there.

🎟️ Tickets are £12 (+ booking fee). Scan the QR code on this post or buy your tickets here: https://buff.ly/iE6Nc5T

Thank you to everyone at Reading Male Voice Choir for supporting our work. We can't wait for the concert!

What happens after you leave hospital following a brain injury? For many people, the support they need continues long af...
06/08/2026

What happens after you leave hospital following a brain injury?

For many people, the support they need continues long after discharge. But knowing where to turn can feel overwhelming, especially in those early days.

That’s why we’re introducing our Hospital Liaison Adviser, Lillie, who can help people and their families understand what happens next, access support and connect with the right services.

Lillie works across Royal Berkshire Hospital, Wexham Park Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital, helping people and families access support as they prepare to leave.

If you or someone you love is approaching discharge after a brain injury, please feel free to reach out to her. She’ll be happy to talk things through and help guide you in the right direction.

📧 [email protected]
📞 07584 345397

Read more about Lillie and her role: https://buff.ly/FGLbBqz

If you’ve suffered a brain injury and would like to help improve support, you could take part in a new Oxford University...
04/08/2026

If you’ve suffered a brain injury and would like to help improve support, you could take part in a new Oxford University and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust project.

The research is looking for adults with lived experience of a neurological injury or illness who have received neurorehabilitation, to better understand how sexuality and sexual health needs are recognised and supported following neurological illness or injury.

You’ll be invited to take part in online meetings, so your input could help shape recommendations and improve future neurorehabilitation services. You won’t be asked to share any personal experiences, and you can also provide feedback by email if preferred.

Participation is reimbursed at £15 per hour.

Interested in taking part? Email Megan Bennett at [email protected] by Monday 10th August 2026.

02/08/2026

Summer is here for a while, holidays are happening, and sometimes the best thing you can do is absolutely nothing!

We can all benefit from slowing down, taking a break and giving ourselves time to recharge. But remember, after a brain injury, rest is an important part of recovery.

So, whether it's a book-in-the-garden day or a films-on-the-sofa day, enjoy it. You don't have to be busy all the time.

Share this with someone who needs a reminder to slow down. 💙

Managing finances can be a challenge for anyone, but it can be particularly difficult for people living with a brain inj...
31/07/2026

Managing finances can be a challenge for anyone, but it can be particularly difficult for people living with a brain injury. You may no longer be able to work as much as you did before your injury, have additional expenses or find that managing money has become more difficult.

Depending on your age and how your brain injury affects you, you may be entitled to one or more benefits. These are based on how your condition affects your daily life, not on your diagnosis alone. Some of the benefits you may be able to claim include:

- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with the extra costs of a long-term condition or disability if you are aged 16 to State Pension age. It is tax-free, is not means-tested and you can claim it even if you are working. It can cover difficulties with memory, concentration and mood, as well as physical difficulties.

- Universal Credit can help if you are on a low income or out of work, with an extra amount if your health affects your ability to work.

- New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) can help if you have paid enough National Insurance and have a limited capability for work.

- Attendance Allowance is for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care.

- Carer’s Allowance may be available to a partner, family member or friend who provides regular care for you.

Read our full article on financial help after brain injury to find out more: https://buff.ly/fiOriaf

Have you checked whether you could be entitled to any of these benefits? If you need further guidance, just drop us a message 💙

Address

Brunner Hall, 84b Greys Road
Henley On Thames
RG91TF

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441491411469

Website

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