Our History:
Two highly specialised units which provide care for around 120 adults of all ages, who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, or long-term neurological conditions. Often the centres’ residents experience complex physical, cognitive or and/or behavioural problems. The residents may stay for weeks, months or years, dependent on their needs and wishes.
There are very few places in the UK which provide long term, specialised 24-hour nursing care and rehabilitation for persons over 18 with such complex needs. Although owned by Elysium Health Care, part of Ramsay Health Care, most residents in Gardens and Jacobs Neuro centres are funded by statutory services such as the NHS or Social Care.
Each centre has a large team of Carers, Nurses, Therapists, Activities Coordinators and Supporting Staff, whose task it is to provide specialised nursing, care, and therapy with the aim of maximising functional potential and quality of life, within a homely environment. This is no easy task. For example, young men in their 20s might have very different interests from men in their 50s. To take one person to a football match or to the opera is a major enterprise. To build wheelchair-accessible flower beds is costly but rewarding. Art and music are known to have a therapeutic effect on those with brain injuries, but the NHS cannot provide pictures for everyone’s room or music therapy for all – but a Friends group might.
In 2013, a small group of residents’ family members and friends decided that it was time to increase awareness of the work of the centres and to raise funds which might be used to improve the lives of those who reside there. To achieve these aims, we first formed an Unincorporated Charitable Organisation (UCO) and began fund raising.
Since that moment we have been incredibly successful raising more than £15,000. On reaching that target, it became necessary by law to become a fully registered charity. This was quite a long and arduous task, but we have done it and we are now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity number – 1167409.
As the now Friends of Sawbridgeworth Neuro Centres (FSN) we have eight enthusiastic Trustees, now raring to go with the real work of helping our residents. Our patron is Dr Roger Beeching, current Chairman of East Herts Council, former mayor of Sawbridgeworth and long-standing supporter of the local community. We have several volunteer helpers also from the local area, but we always need extra pairs of hands so if you have any skills or time to offer, please get in touch with us.
How we raise funds
Raising over £15,000 in only 3 years is quite an achievement for a small group. We could not have done this without the support of friends, families and staff within the centres and massive support from the community at large.
Here are some of the things we have done so far:
- Applied for local community grants
- Formed strong bonds with Local Rotary Clubs
- Provided collection boxes at key events
- Liaised with local schools who have lent artwork and organised within school fundraisers
- Supported key staff and friends who have given up their time, to organise fundraising events which have included excellent tombola’s, raffles, superb music gigs, and many more besides!
All fund-raising ideas and offers welcome. Now that we are a registered charity you can set up a Just Giving page on our behalf and help us claim Gift Aid on all donations!
How we spend funds
So far, we have
- Organised and supported activities for residents within the centres
- Organised and supported trips out into the community
- Offered homely touches within the centres, including plants and art, and extra specialised equipment
- Transformed the gardens around both units
- Relieved poverty by providing clothing and toiletries to those residents in financial hardship
We are always open to ideas and suggestions from residents, family, and friends.
Thanks to everyone involved
FSN is unique in that it could not exist without the support of the management and staff of both Gardens and Jacobs Neuro centres. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management and all the staff for their unwavering support of what we do.
There is not enough space to list all of the individuals from families and friends who support FSN. All I can say is a big thank you to everyone!
Prof. Sheila E Henderson Chair of the Group & Helen Wheeler Media Officer of the Group