New boss for Black Country brain injury association
The newly-appointed chief executive officer of Headway Black Country hopes to see an expansion of services and a £350,000 extension of the organisation's headquarters in Dudley.
Claire Dale, aged 41, from Kingswinford, was previously director of operations and deputy chief executive officer of The Kaleidoscope Plus Group based in West Bromwich.
In her new post she hopes to highlight the work done during the pandemic to help survivors of brain injury and stroke and for their families and carers and increase the support available.
Claire said: "Before the pandemic and my coming into post the organisation was looking to extend its building in Dudley
"Due to increased demand and more space being needed funds need to be raised to extend the building.
"It is an old building and a former Methodist Church but needs extending again to enable us to bring people in on a daily basis as we do a lot of social activities and rehabilitation work.
"There are a lot of programmes for brain injury and life skill services which provide people with help in improving memory, attention and ability to plan as well as develop confidence and cognitive function.
"We currently have 100 people on our books but that does not include families or cares with whom we also work and with more space we would be able to support more people.
Warm
"We work quite closely with hospitals at the point when the injury happens and also want to help with prevention of brain injuries such as to sports professionals such as footballers and rugby players through head contact.
"The board of trustees has plans drawn up for an extension to the building and planning permission but now we just need to raise funds.
"It is hoped that we would be able to get the building completed in the next 12 to 18 months.
"I have been really proud to join the organisation at this time and during the pandemic the music group, art and information technology skills have been carried out online and people have been able to access tablets.
"Two were donated by Wolverhampton University and we bought about six and our 30 staff had to learn quickly how to deliver services online.
"The team have been amazing and we are now looking towards being able to welcome clients back as restrictions are eased and I would also like to thank them for a very warm welcome."
People interested in helping raise funds for the extension can make contact with the organisation through the admin@headwayblackcountry.co.uk website.
