Former charity trustee and advocate for brain injury survivors in the North West up for national award for 36 years of:- 'outstanding contribution' to Headway

AN Occupational therapist and brain injury case manager from Wirral is being recognised for her outstanding contribution to improving the lives of brain injury survivors across the North West, by leading national brain injury charity, Headway; the brain injury association.

Jackie Dean, 68, has been involved with Headway Wirral since the charity was set up in 1988, as a committee member and then Chair; a position she held for over 18 years.

Solicitor and Headway Wirral committee member, Ann Allister, nominated Jackie for the award. She said:- "I have known Jackie for over 20 years, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to nominate her for being outstanding; because she truly is. Jackie shows infinite patience, calmness and kindness to all around her. She has done so for the incredible 36 years she has been part of the Headway Wirral community.”

Headway Wirral provides support for survivors of acquired brain injury, as well as their families and carers. Through her leadership Jackie has built Headway Wirral into the successful charity it is today, creating a:- 'safe and welcoming' space.

She was:- 'instrumental' in developing Headway Wirral from:- 3 users meeting once a week when she took over as Chair, to the 120 service users Headway Wirral currently supports on a weekly basis free to the user, across 4 groups.

Among many other initiatives, Headway Wirral service users have a fun day trip once a month to teach skills in accessing the community and helping to tackle the sense of isolation that brain injury survivors often feel.

Jackie stepped down from the role of Chair in 2024 but remains an active member of the committee.

Ann added:- "Jackie provides guidance, and unwavering support to the current Chair and those with acquired brain injury, both through awareness training as well as vital fundraising initiatives. In her role as a brain injury case manager Jackie has given her time and energy in supporting people with brain injuries across the North West.”

Jackie's commitment to Headway Wirral for nearly 4 decades has led to her becoming 1 of just 3 finalists for the Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award.

The accolade, sponsored by No5 Barristers' Chambers will be presented by Headway; the brain injury association at its glittering awards ceremony on December 5 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in Mayfair.

Jackie said:- "I'm both honoured and humbled by nomination for this award. I am privileged to have worked with people that have faced adversity through brain injury, and their wider families, and know the difference that Headway can make.”

Ann concluded:- "Jackie has patience and a calmness that is valued by all those around her and makes time for all those she helps. She so deserves to be nominated as a huge thank you from everyone at Headway Wirral.”

New CEO confirmed for Stick 'n' Step and new fundraising manager welcomed

CEREBRAL palsy charity Stick 'n' Step has announced the appointment of Sarah Smithson as its Chief Executive and also the appointment of Norma Young as its new Senior Grants and Trusts Fundraising Manager.

Sarah Smithson has been Acting CEO for the charity for the last 15 months, having worked at Stick 'n' Step since being appointed as Operations Manager in 2006. Back then, just 40 children with cerebral palsy attended the 1st Stick 'n' Step centre at St John's Catholic Church in New Ferry. Now, with its 2 centres in Wallasey and Runcorn, Stick 'n' Step supports over 100 children, young people and their families from across the north west.

Norma Young, who lives near Formby, joins Stick 'n' Step to head up the charity's fundraising team. With a background in social services and the NHS, Norma has wide ranging experience across all fundraising sectors, having worked most recently at St Ann's Hospice in Manchester and North West Cancer Research in Liverpool.

Commenting on her own and Norma's appointments, Sarah Smithson, CEO, says:- "It's been such a privilege to have been involved with Stick 'n' Step from its earliest days and seen it grow and evolve. I'm very proud of everything we have achieved and so pleased that we are reaching a wider age range than ever before, with the recent introduction of our Early Intervention Programme for babies. I am honoured by the trust placed in me to take the charity forward to the next stage in its development. I am also delighted to welcome Norma to the team.”

Norma says:- "I'm looking forward to rising to the challenge of meeting our financial targets and delivering our services to the families who need our support across the Region. The positivity and optimism of the team at Stick 'n' Step is second to none and I'm so pleased to be joining them at this exciting stage in their journey.”

Stick 'n' Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 21, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives. The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to over 100 families each year at its Wallasey and Runcorn centres. Find out more about the charity by visiting:- StickNStep.Org.