Who are Edinburgh Headway Group?

Edinburgh Headway Group is a Scottish Charity (SC006528) dedicated to helping and supporting people with acquired brain injury their families and carers. Our premises at the Astley Ainslie Hospital are open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm where we offer a range of activities which span the spectrum from physical fitness to complementary therapies, Tai Chi, computing and social activities. We offer information, advocacy, peer counselling and support to our brain injured members (Members) and their caring relatives. We also operate a befriending service which matches trained volunteers with Members so that the Members can enjoy a social life outwith their homes.

The Group is actively involved in promoting the needs of members with such injuries within the community, the ultimate goal being the development of comprehensive services and support for this particular group of disabled people.
 Our History

The Edinburgh Headway Group had small beginnings in 1982 when it was inaugurated as a support group for the traumatically head injured, their families and carers. They met monthly on a Tuesday evening at the Astley Ainslie Hospital for a period of about 5 years. Over that time various events were arranged but our big break through came in 1987 when Douglas Miller (then Professor of Neurosurgery at Edinburgh University and our honorary President until his tragic death in 1996) persuaded the hospital management to allow us use of what had been the old hospital restaurant servery. Eventually we were given use of the dining area and finally the coffee lounge. The servery is now the office the dining area the recreation room and the Coffee lounge is now our gymnasium.
Since 1987 we have greatly expanded our activities right up until the present day where we provide a wide range of therapeutic, rehabilitative and social activities. We employ an Office Administrator, Befriending and Activities Co-ordinators, a graduate Gym Supervisor, an Adult Educationalist, a Tai Chi teacher and an army of volunteers including Reflexologists, and many others who assist our members to enjoy a better quality of life. The Big Lottery since 2004 has funded a Project to maintain liaisons with the Edinburgh hospitals, GP practices and other Primary Care services and Community Care services as well as raising awareness in the Community generally of brain injured people and their families.  Our Honorary President is Mrs Margot Miller the wife of the late Professor Douglas Miller and our Patrons are Mr Ronnie Corbett OBE, and the Hon. Lord Emslie.
 How can you help.

You can help by volunteering to assist us in our work. We require volunteer own-car drivers and volunteers for our befriending service or in any capacity in Headway House throughout the day Monday to Thursday by helping in the gym or socialising with our members. Our volunteers and befrienders must be over 21. If however you are unable to volunteer your time then donations to assist us in our work are always gratefully received.

Additionally you can assist us by giving a gift aid donation. All donations are welcome. Please use the link below to download the form and post to us at our address (which can be found in the Contact section).

Gift Aid Declaration Form

Edinburgh Headway is supported by Lothian Health, City of Edinburgh Council and the Big Lottery Fund.