A Guernsey charity supporting people living with brain injuries is highlighting the importance of long-term, community-based support, as it continues to see steady demand for its services across the island.
Headway supports adults with acquired brain injuries, including strokes, traumatic injuries, post-concussion syndrome, infections and brain tumours. Locally, the charity works with 90-100 people, with 45-50 attending regular weekly sessions.
For Karen Gibbs, a local mother, that support has been an important part of rebuilding her life following a brain aneurysm and stroke more than a decade ago. Her recovery involved relearning everyday tasks while adapting to the longer-term effects of brain injury, including fatigue, memory challenges and emotional changes.
Karen Gibbs, Headway member, said: “You don’t realise how much your brain controls until something like that happens. I had to relearn how to do simple things and cope with constant fatigue. Being around people who understand makes such a difference – it’s a safe place where I could start to rebuild.”
Headway provides a range of services designed to support people at different stages of recovery, including cognitive rehabilitation programmes, social sessions, community activities and practical support to help rebuild confidence and independence. The charity works closely with healthcare professionals to ensure individuals are supported as they transition out of hospital, and aims to assess new referrals within days, operating without a waiting list.
Philippa Stahelin, Chief Executive of Headway Guernsey, said: “We don’t have a waiting list. If somebody gives us a call and says they want an assessment, we’ll have an assessment within 10 days.
“We rely entirely on the generosity of the local community and local businesses. We will always provide a place for someone to know that they’re not alone and that they are understood.”
As a local charity, Headway depends on consistent community backing to sustain its services and respond to demand, including a growing number of younger stroke survivors. Support from the Sure Community Foundation plays an important role in enabling that work. In 2025, the Foundation contributed £2,616 to Headway Guernsey, as part of more than £44,000 it donated to charities across Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
Emmily Rowlinson, Sure Community Foundation spokesperson, said: “We are proud to support Headway Guernsey – local charities provide the continuity of care hospitals cannot always deliver, and our funding helps islanders access vital services close to home when they need them most.”
