Local brain injury charity launches emergency appeal to combat ‘significant losses’

Local brain injury charity Headway East London has launched an emergency fundraiser to counteract the “significant loss in income” it has suffered because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Headway supports some of the most vulnerable people in society and is hoping to raise £10,000 through its Home Not Alone campaign, which showcases the innovations it has made to maintain vital support for its members while face-to-face services remain suspended.

At time of writing, the campaign had reached just over a third of its target.

Donations will go towards hundreds of daily welfare calls to help members solve financial, physical and emotional crises, personalised activity packs which are posted out and emailed regularly, one-to-one remote counselling, and emergency deliveries of food, medication and essentials.

The charity is also tackling loneliness by running online groups, friendship calls and creative projects to maintain the social networks created at its day centre.

Chief executive Anthony Bonfil said: “These are unprecedented times, and I’m hugely proud of the way that our team has responded on behalf of our members.

“Like others across the sector, we’ve suffered significant loss of income as a result of Covid-19 at a time in which our members need us more than ever.

“The Home Not Alone campaign highlights the ways we’re working to keep our wonderful community together and supported even from afar.”

The charity will share resources created by its community online, including a downloadable colouring book designed by one of its members, and a ‘cut-price portraits’ workshop in partnership with another member, Billy, and the Barbican Centre.

All of these resources, and further information about the campaign, can be found at headwayeastlondon.org/home-not-alone

To donate right now, head to the charity’s JustGiving page