"Membership of groups ... gives us a sense of social identity."

 

"We are social animals who live and have evolved to live in social groups. Membership of groups, from football teams to book clubs and voluntary societies, gives us a sense of social identity."

- Professor Alex Haslam, University of Exeter

Brain Injury support groups currently meeting in AucklandSupport groups

They serve a very useful purpose in providing both well informed advice and companionship with people who understand the trials and tribulations of living with the effects of a brain injury.

There's been a lot of research into the benefits of the support group dynamic, both with the ‘facilitated’ group and the less structured ‘peer’ group. The strength comes from the shared struggle to adapt to a new lifestyle, from inevitably finding that someone in the group has experienced your difficulty as well and frequently is able to suggest a way to deal with the consequences. The humour is never far away, but most importantly the support and empathy is there: the glue that holds the group together.

Support groups currently meeting in Auckland

The Traumatic Brain Injury (‘TBI’) Group

Caters for clients with brain injury, both men and women. It is our oldest group. It used to meet for many years at the Concussion Clinic, Pt Chevalier.

  • Facilitator: Stephen Jenkins, Headway Manager
  • Meets: 11am – 12pm, 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month
  • Location: Headway House, 207 Manukau Road, Epsom
  • Contact: Julie Preston 09 520 4807 or Steve Jenkins 09 520 4817

The Men's Support Group

  • Facilitator: James Cunningham, a neuropsychologist
  • Meets: 7.00pm – 8.45pm, 1st Monday of each month
  • Location: Headway House, 207 Manukau Road, Epsom
  • Contact: Steve Jenkins 09 520 4817

The Spouses' and Carers' Evening

  • Facilitator: Allison McLellan
  • Meets: 7.00pm – 8.45pm, 1st Wednesday of each month
  • Location: Headway House, 207 Manukau Road, Epsom
  • Contact: Alison McLellan 09 441 6246 or 027 292 5881

The Auckland Women's Group

  • Facilitator: Yvonne Prosee-Dixon, an experienced clinical psychologist
  • Meets: 10.00am – 11.30am, 2nd Thursday of each month
  • Location: Headway House, 207 Manukau Road, Epsom
  • Contact: Steve Jenkins 09 520 4817

North Shore Women's Group

  • Meets: 10.00am – 11.30am, 1st Thursday of each month
  • Location: Bayview Community House, 72 Bayview Road, Bayview, Glenfield, North Shore 
  • Contact: Alison McLellan 09 441 6246 or 027 292 5881