If we are to change then I would like to offer up Momentum Skills.
My cousin suffered a major car accident and he now works for the charity helping others who are going through similar things. He was in the army at the time, very fit and one of the best in his group at Sandhurst. That obviously all changed after the accident.
A bit more about the charity:
Momentum Skills follows the aim of enhancing social and economic independence for
people living with the consequences of an Acquired Brain Injury, and successfully runs two brain injury centres, one in the north east (Newcastle) and one in the west midlands (Birmingham), with a further ten projects in Scotland.
Summary:
In the North East of England, we specifically focuses upon our vocational rehabilitation programme which has the aim of ensuring individuals can greatly improve their life-chances and re-enter the world of employment or progress into further education after an acquired disability. The programme relies upon a multi-disciplinary team approach including clinical and assistant psychologists, qualified tutors and job coaches as well as volunteers who assist in the delivery of psychological, cognitive, employment and ICT skills sessions.
Over 1million individuals attend hospital each year due to brain injury. Statistics have shown that without support, only 15% of these people will return to competitive employment. For those unable to return to work, a lifetime of benefit welfare, family disturbance and psychological issues can be very common. However, with the support of services such as Momentum Skills, opportunities for employment can grow significantly which leads to a far more stable and settled family life. Indeed, 80% of our clients achieved a positive outcome in 2011, due to their access to our highly specialist training, careers guidance and psychological intervention.
At this crucial time of development to enhance our rehabilitation services I’d be delighted if you could consider making a donation that will go specifically to help fund two crucial new posts: one part-time Assistant Psychologist and one part-time Client Representative. Such help will allow our service delivery to further grow not only the psychological service available to clients but also further enhance focused links between clients and staff in terms of service delivery.
Overview
Our vocational rehabilitation programme offers up to 70 places per year to people who have become unemployed or require additional support in order to re-learn essential skills following injury or illness, with the aim of helping them back into voluntary positions, paid employment or further education.
• Since1999 we have provided vocational rehabilitation services to well over 1,250 local people. Our programme is unique. We are one of only a very few organisations specialising in providing such services for people living with the consequences of an Acquired Brain Injury.
• Our vocational rehabilitation programme offers cognitive and behavioural retraining, Information Technology and Basic Skills up to Level 2 in order to enhance employment opportunities.
• Last year 79% of our clients within the North East returned to work, further education or voluntary work.
• These outcomes have been rightly praised through various contract managers and by external organisations that work with us, such as fellow charities and the police force.
• The programme tackles the disadvantages and social exclusion experienced by many people following an ABI, and the benefits delivered to the individual, family and the wider community mean that the programme is extremely cost-effective.
The Need for the Project
Of the estimated 1 million people who attend hospital as a result of brain injury, up to 15,000 people will have suffered injury categorised as severe. Services for people with a severe brain injury have not increased with need, and many people are unable to access the vital specialist re-training which
conventional services such as hospitals do not provide. Momentum Skills provides specialist vocational rehabilitation designed specifically for people with a moderate to severe and long-term brain injury.
For those who do not receive help, a lifetime of unemployment, dependence on benefits, marriage and family break-up is a disturbing, yet all too typical picture. Many people have clear vocational potential but require specialist support which existing programmes are unable to provide.
Over the last two years we are proud to be able to report that nearly 80% of our clients returned to paid employment, further education or voluntary work.
Our Newcastle Brain Injury Centre
The programme offers the following elements which provide a holistic method of tackling the typical problems already mentioned:- Cognitive Retraining : Life changes after brain injury : Stress Management : Group therapy Sessions : Personal Development : Social & Life Skills : Work related skills training, including assistance with CV building, job applications and interview techniques.
Certified qualifications are offered in:- Basic Skills : Literacy and Numeracy : Information
Technology : Job Seeking Skills : Life & Social Skills, and our Our staff team are multi-disciplinary, comprising of Managers, Senior Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Psychologists, a Basic Skills Tutor, ICT tutor, Job Coaches, an Administrator and Specialist Support Workers, all qualified, skilled and experienced in working within the field of ABI, neurological conditions and mental health. We currently have 10 full time employees, 6 part-time employees via our community services, and 10 volunteers in the areas of session support, administration and fundraising, most of which come via the universities in Newcastle, partnership links with Headway and our Joint Service in partnership with The Stroke Association.
Practical Results and Benefits
Last year our brain injury centre produced the following impressive results:- 79% of clients moved into paid employment or education : 15% of clients (across both centres) moved into voluntary work : 70% of clients made significant progress in Health and Social Gains which included improved health, quality of life, positive contribution, exercise choice and control, freedom from discrimination and harassment, economic wellbeing (including paid or voluntary employment), personal dignity, social participation, independent living and self-worth : Benefits to families and carers are measured through our quarterly quality assurance form, 93% of families confirm the benefits by stating that through, increased independence, self esteem and confidence to face going back to work or education, their loved ones have made huge strides forward in their lives : Positive economic and social effects of a clients’ return to work include a decreased reliance on state benefits and an increase in family income, resulting in a better quality of life, raised expectations of parents and children and a boost to the local economy.
Cost Effectiveness
It costs approximately £13,000 for each client to complete the Momentum Skills programme which on average runs 40-52 weeks depending on the individuals needs - which in some instances can be comprehensive in terms of need for psychological therapies.
The benefits gained include:- a positive move into further education or employment : Improved financial stability for the client and family : Decreased reliance on benefits : Improvements in general and mental health : Increased independence : Positive social and economic effects in the case of a move into employment on the community : All enabling the individual to fulfill their potential and enjoy an enhanced quality of life to that which at one time faced them.
Funding
The Centres maximise funding from various sources, including local fundraising initiatives, Dept
of Work + Pensions (DWP), JobCentre Plus, Local Government, PCT, compensation claims and Learning Skills Council (LSC). Due to our LSC funding being cut in line with the Governments reduction in Adult
Education we are in the position of having to find suitable funding to ensure that we can still deliver much needed educational needs to those with ABI. The Centre is working to a two year business plan which will take it to a position where core funding is covered by these sources.
