Work, Volunteering and Hobbies
Returning to work
You may have spent time recovering from your neurological condition and feel ready to return to work.
However, the effects of your condition can affect how you do your job. You may find that you require adaptations to the workplace to accommodate your needs or that a different role altogether is more suitable. With the right support and planning, many people do successfully get back to work and our service is here to help.
Headway have some information relating to brain injury which you may also find useful when considering your return to work:
ACAS gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice:
Voluntary work
Returning to full-time, paid work can be difficult for many people after brain injury. While there are ways to making a return to work easier, for some people it might not be possible to return to paid work because of the skills and commitment required.
Volunteering can be a good way to return to work-type activities without the strict expectations that paid work usually involves. Helping others and doing something productive can be a good way to boost your confidence and get you back into a working routine.
Headway have some useful information on volunteering:
Cycling
At Walkergate Park we have access to a static exercise bike, moto-med trainers, a recumbent bike, adapted bicycles and standard bicycles.
Drive North East Mobility (around the back of the centre) have a traffic free track, and if we identify cycling as one of your therapy goals we may be able to access these facilities.
Here are some local groups/ centres that may be able to support you with your return to cycling:
British Cycling runs para-cycling programmes around the country. Riders of any level are encouraged to attend these sessions.
York Sports Centre has an enclosed 1km track, loans out adapted bikes and runs inclusive sessions. They also provide one to one tuition.
Social Prescribing
Social prescribing is a key component of Universal Personalised Care. It is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.
In social prescribing, local agencies such as local charities, social care and health services refer people to a social prescribing link worker. Social prescribing link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me?’ to co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan, and support people to take control of their health and wellbeing.
Social prescribing link workers also support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable, and help people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.
You can be referred to a local link worker by your GP, or ask your health care professional to refer you. More information about social prescribing can be found on the NHS England website.
Sports
We understand that returning to exercise can be challenging for survivors of neurological condition. Access to local facilities can also be difficult if you use a wheelchair or have physical, visual and/ or cognitive limitations.
It is well known that exercise has physical, emotional, and social benefits and can form a major part of your rehabilitation journey.
Below are some associations/ groups that we have worked with. If attendance is a goal identified in your assessment and treatment programme, we would be happy to attend a session with you and set you up with a programme to self-manage.
- Walking Football with Headway
- Disability Football Sessions – Newcastle United Foundation
- Gym Possible – Making exercise accessible
- North East Warriors Wheelchair Basketball – Every Body Moves
- Newcastle Wheelchair Rugby Club
- Wheelchair Basketball – Newcastle University Students’ Union
- What’s On – Smile Through Sport
- Disability Sport and Inclusive Activities – Every Body Moves