Support Services for North East Veterans Launched
A support group for soldiers and veterans from our region who've suffered a serious brain injury launched today.
Headway Forces Support Group is based at Phoenix Recovery Centre in Catterick and is the first of its kind in the UK to support the life-long changes a brain injury can bring.
It was established by former Army Captain Rob Cromey-Hawke who was injured during a tour of Afghanistan in 2012.
The vehicle he was travelling in drove over an Improvised Explosive Device and he suffered damage to his spinal cord, developed hearing loss and a severe brain injury.
He now has no sense of time, so has to set alarms for himself throughout the day, and doesn't recognise when he may be feeling hungry.
Once Rob had recovered physically from the explosion, he found there was little support for the psychological healing he still had to do.
While based at Phoenix House, Rob began to lead a small talking group, which is launching officially as the Headway Forces Support Group today.
It's hoped that if the group is successful, it will be used as a model to roll out at Help for Heroes centres throughout the UK.
Rob said:
"When I came home, the changes in me weren't supported and that's an area that we'd like to try to help educate people and support people.
We tend to keep it inside and try to battle on ourselves.
Bringing military personnel together breaks down those barriers and we can start getting to the root causes, and sharing strategy and support amongst each other."
Rob's been helped by brain charity Headway, who specialise in helping families through the difficulties a brain injury can present.
Their Network Support Manager Alastair White is ex-military himself and was also at the launch today.
He said:
"At Headway, we know the devastation a brain injury can cause.
Whether sustained in combat or everyday life, the challenges an individual and their loved ones can face can be overwhelming.
The hidden aspect of brain injury can make it difficult for people to receive the help and support they need."
You can find out more about Help for Heroes HERE, and charity Headway HERE.