Headway is here to help navigate this journey.

Headway is the gateway to brain injury support:

• Assisting those affected by brain injury to access help, services and activities to enhance their well being at all stages of their journey.
• Inspiring communities to be proactive in embracing and assisting those affected by brain injury.

Headway: Brain Injury Auckland ...

• Supports and guides those with a brain injury on their journey from diagnosis to reintegration to help them accept a different reality and make the most of their abilities
• Supports and informs families, friends and employers of people affected by a brain injury so they are better equipped to help
• Highlights and facilitates access to support, services and activities that are available to those affected by brain injury
• Promotes community awareness of brain injury and its effects and encourages community support

Integrity

We work professionally and with integrity so we are worthy of trust, which is the foundation of all our relationships. We respect each person’s dignity, uniqueness and contribution to society.

Nurturing

Kind and compassionate, we provide a safe, nurturing environment, where we can grow ideas and services that make a positive difference to those affected, directly or indirectly, by brain injury.

Enabling

We empower those affected by brain injury, to find the activities, services, support, and guidance that will help them and their families accept the new reality and move forward.

Teamwork

Unity is strength. We work as a team and team with partners and the community to share our knowledge and skill and to deliver a range of activities and services to achieve the best outcomes for those affected by a brain injury.

Our history

On 3 August 1982, Dr Dorothy Gronwell wrote a letter to the then regional manager of the Accident Compensation Corporation in Auckland. Dr Gronwell was a neuro psychologist and also a member and vice chairperson of the then Head Injury Society of Auckland.

Dr Gronwell wrote:

"The Head Injury Society Inc was formed towards the end of 1981 by relatives and by Auckland Hospital board staff who were concerned with the need to provide support for families of the head injured patients, to educate the public in general about the needs of the head injured and to improve rehabilitation facilities...

We have already established a regular support group for families of adult patients and similar groups for the parents of children who have had head injuries are now being organised. We have also begun a publicity campaign which will, we hope, enable us to reach families who were unaware of the society, and also make the general public more aware of the problems that follow on from the head injury."

These early sentiments are still  presently reflected in the role and intention of the Brain Injury Association of Auckland. For the record, the certificate of incorporation (with the Ministry of Commerce) notes that the Head Injury Society Inc was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908, on 25 August 1981, and changed its name to The Brain Injury Association (Auckland) Inc on 11 March 1996.

Image: Dorothy Gronwall receiving a Queen's medal from the NZ Governor General
Source: Psychology Today