Headway News - November 2020

Welcome to November. It was lovely to see a few of you at the recent Headway AGM on Thursday 29th October. Here is Ruth's report for you all to hear about what's been happening at Headway:

Headway (Brain Injury Association Auckland) President’s Report 2020

This time last year, I was appointed President of Brain Injury Association Auckland, but now as you will have noticed we are well and truly known as Headway.

This time last year, I stated my aim for Headway would be to increase funding, to, hopefully, be in a position to attract ACC funding and also to improved and increase our services so we meet your needs.

So what have we achieved this year? So here goes….

• We benefitted from the services of Bernie Quinn our accountant for many years, but Bernie has now handed over to Roger Bannan. Roger is already working with us to help us achieve our financial goals which will enable Headway to progress and to have a wider reach into the community.
• We approved the appointment of an administrator. I am sure you all now know Michelle, who has taken communications, systems and fund-raising initiatives on her shoulders and her work has already made a huge difference.
• Last year Alison’s grandson, Michael, was voted onto the Board. He started our rejuvenation drive, and then we continued this process by co-opting Bryony Greenhalgh on to the Board. Between them they have considerably reduced the average age of our Board and between them they add a great deal of experience and expertise needed to drive this organisation forward and modernise it.
• We started reviewing our 5 year plan, but COVID lockdowns, and the flood slowed us down somewhat. However these events have made us think hard about what the future might look like.

So what’s our plan for next year?
In 2020 COVID-19 has changed the landscape for a lot of people and a lot of businesses. Although Headway House itself was closed during lockdown periods, several Headway activities kept forging ahead thanks to technology and thanks to our staff and clients. We need to build on this capability.

The flood under the house has also had a disruptive effect, but good has come out of bad, in that we will shortly have smart new kitchen lino and lovely new carpet. Now we need to look at reinvigorating our services.

So starting with a strategy meeting November 14^th, the Headway Board will be looking to regroup after a tough year, and it looks as though we will be following the theme of renewal, rejuvenation and reinvigoration as it relates to Headway the organisation, its Board, staff, services, activities, finances, including fundraising, donations, and  the property and how we make the most of it.

We urge all of you to be pro-active members of Headway, keeping us informed of services you would like, as well as letting us know what we do well and what we could improve on.

Finally I would like to thank Steve for his heroic hard work in keeping Headway up and running, Headway staff (Alison, Julie and Michael) Michelle for bringing us into the 21st century, Roger for preparing user-friendly financial reports, and our hard-working board Robert Brown, Bryony Greenhalgh, Michael Helps, Ed Kidd, and Maggie Polotu.

It’s almost a year since you voted me to be President of Headway (Brain Injury Association, Auckland). It has been a challenging and interesting year for all of us. I hope you will come along to our AGM. It’s such a good opportunity for the Board to hear from you and for us to let you know what we have achieved and what we are planning to do. You, our members, clients, families and friends are the lifeblood of our organisation. You are the ones that drive our direction and inform the activities and services we provide – so please come along, socialise and let us hear what else you would like from Headway..
Meanwhile, stay safe and well.

All the best
Ruth

What's On at Headway House?

Next Month's Outing... Friday 6th November - a Trip to the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
Limited Spaces available ... so Book your place in the van for this excursion... today.

Departing Headway House at 10.30am and returning by 2pm. (departing the Botanic Gardens 1.15pm) or Meeting at the Botanic Gardens Information Centre, Hill Road, Manurewa at 11am.

** BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL - to ensure space in the van and a packed picnic lunch for you to enjoy.

Please contact Stephen@Headway.org.nz to confirm your place BEFORE 4pm THURSDAY 5th November.

It is all GO at Headway House!
The new carpet is being installed as this newsletter is being written. So the house is in a total state of chaos.

One the carpet is down then the team are coming in to complete the vinyl in the kitchen. All the kitchen flooring was removed due to the major leak we had throughout the first lockdown. It is exciting for us all but will mean the House will be closed on Friday 13th and Monday, Tuesday the 16th and 17th November. All going well, we will be back in action soon!

Headway Harmonies

Come along and enjoy a morning of Christmas Cardmaking at Headway House on Wednesday 11th November 10.30am - 12pm.
Please email Michelle@headway.org.nz BY 4pm Tuesday 10th November to confirm your spot at the cardmaking session.

Our Women's Group meets monthly on the SECOND Thursday at 10am.

This Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Group caters for any person with brain injury, both men and women. Held at Headway House, please feel free to come along. Held FIRST and THIRD Wednesday MONTHLY.

Introducing a new activity at Headway House - Tai Chi for Wellness.
Tai Chi for Wellbeing may be done standing or sitting down, is relaxing and helps calm the mind, also social and fun. This form of Tai Chi was developed by Dr Paul Lam who initially developed 'Tai Chi for Arthritis and falls prevention', and works well with any physical ability. Come to class wearing comfortable clothing (easy to move in) and bring a bottle of water.

Coming soon we will be introducing some new Art Workshop opportunities!
For up to date details and news, follow us on Facebook for information as soon as it comes available.

The Annual Christmas Lunch will be held at Headway House on Saturday 5th December, 12pm. Save the date and book your place to let us know if you want to come this year. More details to follow next month. Email stephen@headway.org.nz to prebook.