Family fun day in Littleborough in aid of young brain injury survivors

A family fun day event is taking place at Littleborough Rugby Union Club tomorrow (Saturday (20 August) in aid of the After Matters support group for young brain injury survivors.

Named after young brain injury survivors Matthew Hayden and Aidan Lees, After Matters provides inclusion, support and signpost sources of help for young brain injury survivors (aged 16-25) and their families.

The group was founded last year by their mums, Maxine Hayden and Louise Bird, who both met when their sons, then aged 17 and 18, were rushed into the same hospital (Salford Royal Hospital). Both Matthew and Aiden underwent emergency lifesaving surgery after sustaining traumatic brain injuries in separate, unrelated and unprovoked incidents in 2018.

Matthew, who played rugby for Littleborough Colts, had been due to move to America that September to take up a rugby scholarship. Despite a good physical recovery, he has been left with invisible issues typical of brain injuries.

 

 

After leaving hospital, the boys’ recovery journeys were a “difficult and lonely time” for both families, emotionally and also in terms of trying to get help and therapy for their sons, which was still much needed as part of their recovery process.

Maxine and Louise kept in touch with each other, supporting each other through difficult days and also sharing sources of help with each other for their sons. They came to realise that there appeared to be a gap in aftercare for that transitional age group of 16-25 and from this realisation, the idea was born to set up a support group as they didn’t want other families to struggle to access services and resources as they had.

Maxine said: “Both Matthew and Aidan have a lot of invisible issues that many brain injury survivors struggle with that people just don't see or understand. They have had some very difficult times over the past four years in coming to terms with what happened to them and how their life is now different from the path they both thought they were going to have.  However, they have both had a lot of treatment and are now moving forward as best they can.

“Our experience has shown that there is a gap for aftercare services for young people living with a brain injury and we want to help as many families as we can within the Greater Manchester area, going through the same journey we have. We want to signpost people in the right direction for help, or just speak with another parent and provide emotional support wherever we can.”

The fun day takes place at the Littleborough Rugby Union club from 1pm, and features face painting, giant inflatables, a balloon twister, penalty shootout, craft stalls, character mascots, tombola, brass band and live music, BBQ, pizza, prosecco and the club bar will be open.

Maxine added: “We would love as many people as possible to come to our family fun day; we have lots going on for children and the whole family.”

Find out more aftermatters.org.uk

For confidential advice & support call 0333 323 4950, Mon-Thurs from 10am-2pm.