Milnrow charity launches grant programme for young people with acquired brain injuries

Milnrow charity launches grant programme for young people with Acquired Brain Injuries 

A Milnrow-born charity has launched a grant programme to help young people living with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

After Matters, which is supported by Action Together Rochdale, has launched the programme to those between the ages of 16 and 25, living with an acquired brain injury within the Greater Manchester area.

The grant can provide financial support with costs toward therapy/physical recovery, equipment, or vocational rehabilitation (such as employment or education), or even transport costs for medical appointments, etc.

For those that need financial support, then you could qualify for a grant (£50 - £500) to help with costs toward recovery or vocational rehabilitation.

You can apply if you are a young person (aged 16-25), or a parent or carer of a young person living with an acquired brain injury within the Greater Manchester area. 

Chair and co-founder Maxine Hayden said: “The help and support of our local community and many local businesses since we started the charity in 2021 has enabled us to build on our funding so that we can now provide sources of financial help for our young people living with an acquired brain injury within our local community.

“When my son Matthew sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2018, he needed a lot of support and treatment which was not readily available on the NHS as waiting times were as long as 18 months to two years and we now know that healing potential can be lost if treatment is not provided at the earliest opportunity. 

“Luckily we were in position that we could pay privately for help and treatment for Matthew, which absolutely made a difference to his recovery but we know not all families are able to do that and so we wanted to help others where we could and that is why we have launched the grant programme.

She added: “We know there are many challenges and difficult times navigating and re-building life post injury and we want people to know they are not alone in this journey and there is help and support available. We don’t want anyone to ever feel that they are alone in this journey as we did.”

The charity is also currently looking for a new treasurer to join their team. Anyone interested in finding out more can email: hello@aftermatters.org.uk