Headway, ABI Ireland, BRÍ launch joint information leaflet
22 Jul 2009
The Chief Executives of Headway (Kieran Loughran), Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (Barbara O'Connell) and BRÍ (Mick Clavin) launch a new leaflet for Acquired Brain Injury services
Press Release: Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, BRí and Headway put heads together to launch first Interagency ABI Information leaflet
Wednesday, 22nd July 2009: "It is estimated that in excess of 10,000 people in Ireland get a traumatic every year and that 2% of the population suffer the long term effects of Acquired Brain Injury."
Ireland's leading community organisations who support people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) have today come together to launch an information leaflet that will help to explain the condition and what help there is available, in Ireland. The Inter-agency collaboration of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, BRí and Headway have produced a leaflet (available for download here) which highlights the importance of increasing ABI awareness, and providing accurate information at the right time to those who need it the most. This collaboration was funded by 'The COMMUNITY FOUNDATION for Ireland' under the Small Grant scheme.
The information leaflet will be available and distributed throughout the country at all Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, BRí and Headway offices and services. They will also be available through their websites and also in every Citizen Information Centre (CIC) nationwide.
"This is a team effort," said Barbara O' Connell, CEO of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. "We understand the true meaning of that small word because we know from experience that together everyone achieves more. We at Acquired Brain Injury Ireland along with BRí and Headway as ABI service providers stand together, assisting those who need information on our services and supports. This Inter-agency leaflet will give survivors and carers vital information in relation to services whose staff are qualified to understand and respond to individual ABI needs.
Kieran Loughran, CEO of Headway, added, "Because services for people with a brain injury are under resourced, it is better when specialist organisations, like us all, work closely together. We all have a common goal, to assist al those, and their families, who are trying to live their day to day lives with an acquired brain injury. We produced this leaflet because we feel it's important they know that they are not alone and that organisations like Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Headway and BRí are here to help."
"It is the silent epidemic of modern times" says Michael Clavin of BRI. "By this leaflet we are actively helping clear information for people and families with Acquired Brain Injury. Knowing where to find specialist services is all important for thousands of Irish families and will help to reduce the stress and anxiety endured by the family in this time of need. We are keen to inform and support persons where we can, being experienced with brain injury ourselves."
In our current economic climate it is only through support and funding that the voluntary sector can actively create awareness and issue information. It was with the financial support of The Community Foundation for Ireland that the inter-agency leaflet became a reality.
Tina Roche, CEO of The Community Foundation for Ireland said, "Often groups and projects can be hard hit to raise funding during difficult economic times. Therefore, we are delighted to be able to assist this inter agency collaboration with such a vital and important project. We congratulate all the organisations involved".
For further information in relation to the leaflet contact;
Christine Flynn, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Project Manager at cflynn@abiireland.ie
Ned Rispin, BRí Development Manager at ned.rispin@BRíireland.ie
Richards Stables, Headway Information and Support Manager at StablesR@headway.ie
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For media queries contact: Karen O' Boyle, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland at koboyle@abiireland.ie or on 01 2804164 Ext. 207
Download Full Press Release Here