The Brain Injury Foundation
Background
It is a support group for brain injury survivors and their families and carers. It was launched by a group of survivors, carers and volunteers in August 2012 and has over 100 members from all over Newry and Mourne, Armagh, Banbridge and Dungannon. BIF supports people with all forms of brain injuries including strokes.
BIF differs from many charities in that it is service user led. This means that service users are all members and have a vote in guiding the organisation. Almost all of the Management Committee are brain injury survivors or carers. Many of the services offered by BIF are delivered in part or completely by brain injury survivors or carers. This means that services are tailored to meet the real needs of brain injury survivors and carers.
Values, Mission, Vision
OUR VALUES
Choices, Inclusivity, Accountability, Integrity, Dignity & Respect, Synergy
OUR VISION
Brain injury survivors, their carers and families have all the support they need to lead fulfilling and sustainable lifestyles. Their needs and the challenges they face are recognised, understood and supported by statutory bodies and the wider community.
OUR MISSION
To be a centre of excellence providing lifetime support to brain injury survivors and their families and carers.
Our Aims
The aims of the organisation are to empower brain injury survivors and their cares and families to design, deliver and monitor a programme of activities and a range of services which enhance their quality of life and address their needs, in particular social isolation.
To provide brain injury survivors, their families and carers with information and emotional support.
To raise awareness of the needs of brain injury survivors, their carers and families.
In 2013, BIF purchased and renovated a property in Camlough following a £350,000 grant from the Big Lottery funded Space & Place programme. The Space & Place programme is a £15 million Big Lottery funded capital grants programme which makes grants available to help connect communities by making use of underused or difficult spaces.
It is delivered by a consortium headed up by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. With funding support from the Space & Place programme, BIF has opened Northern Ireland’s first community owned Centre of Excellence for Brain Injury support. Located just outside Newry there is excellent on-site parking, including disabled parking, so the premises are fully accessible.
We also have our own pub with no beer and an outreach horticulture programme based in Milford Armagh.
