Headway Essex

20/10/2026

HO HO HEADWAY CHRISTMAS FAYRE – STALLHOLDERS WANTED!

Have you got lovely things to sell? Handmade goodies, gorgeous gifts, Christmas treats, crafts, candles, jewellery… or something a little bit different?
Then we’d LOVE to hear from you!

We’re getting ready for a fabulous festive day at our Ho Ho Headway Christmas Fayre and we’re looking for a few more stallholders to join in the fun!

Saturday 28th November 2026
Philip Morant School and College, Colchester
11am – 4pm

Whether you’re a small business, a talented crafter, a local maker or just have something fabulous to share, we’d love to have you there!

Fancy a stall? Drop us a message for more details!
Let’s make it a cracker of a Christmas Fayre!

You can book following this link:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/hCCvj1QX4q
or email [email protected]

Please share with anyone who might like to join us — you could help us find our next fabulous stallholder!

19/10/2026

This video was recorded during a discussion at our Men’s Group, where men affected by brain injury come together to share experiences, talk openly and support one another.

Gavin who is speaking is a brain injury support worker with Headway Essex.

Sometimes, finding the words to explain how we're feeling can be difficult. We might keep things to ourselves, put on a brave face or worry about how others will react if we open up.

But as this video shows, something powerful happens when we feel safe enough to talk and know that we won't be judged.

Hearing someone else say, “I've felt like that too” can make such a difference. It reminds us that we're not the only ones struggling, and that we don't have to face things alone.

Our Men’s Group offers a space where experiences can be shared, friendships can grow and men can feel understood by others who have been through similar challenges.

Sometimes, simply knowing you're not alone is a really important first step.

Our Men’s Group meets monthly in Colchester and is open to anyone in Essex living with a brain injury, or supporting someone with a brain injury. We also hold other support groups across Essex in Clacton, Chelmsford, Benfleet and Epping

Please call us on 01206 845945 or email abisupport@headway essex.org.uk. Let’s talk.

19/10/2026

Thank you, Alan!

At our AGM on Thursday evening, we said goodbye to Alan Bacon as Chair of our Board of Trustees.

Alan has been part of the Headway family since 2012, and we want to say a huge thank you for all the time, support and professional expertise he has given us over the years. We are so grateful for his commitment to Headway and everything he has contributed.

We’re also pleased to share that our existing trustee, Tony Emms, will be taking on the role of Chair. We look forward to working with Tony and all our trustees as we continue to move forward together, supporting one another and making a difference through our culture.

Alan, thank you for everything you’ve done for Headway. We wish you all the very best for the future!

Image shows Tony Emms (left) and Alan Bacon (right)

16/10/2026

We met Hugo at an event yesterday and he has such an inspirational story. Hugo suffered a brain haemorrhage and has turned his experience into a positive, starting the In Motion Club - Southend.

You can read the article in the Southebd Echo here : https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/26583216.southend-man-using-experiences-brain-haemorrhage

15/10/2026

For those of you who are super organised and think Christmas can’t come soon enough our Christmas cards are available to buy woohoo!

And for those of you who think it’s far too early – sorry!

why not get ahead of the game and buy your Christmas cards now?

We have a great selection of cards that you can order online or pick up when you’re next visiting Headway.

What do you think — too soon or super organised?

Available to buy here: https://www.headwayessex.org.uk/i-want-to-help-2/christmas-cards/

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

We’re sharing a few photos from our Charity Golf Day at Thorndon Park Golf Club yesterday taken by Matt Sprake of PR Pics UK

If you joined us, have a look through the photos and see if you can spot yourself! And if you weren’t able to make it, here’s a little look at what you missed.

We were really pleased to spend the day with our long-standing supporter, Chris James, who helped us bring everyone together in support of Headway Essex.

We had 10 teams taking part throughout the day and, and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves while supporting a cause that means so much to us.
We were also incredibly lucky with the weather , we had beautiful sunshine all day.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Thorndon Park Golf Club. The course was fantastic, the food was lovely and the team looked after us so well.

We’d also like to thank Bennetts Funeral Directors Ltd and Carteret Executive Car Service for sponsoring the event, and everyone who donated raffle and auction prizes. Your generosity helps us continue supporting people affected by brain injury across Essex.

Most of all, thank you to everyone who came along, took part, donated, sponsored and helped make the day possible.

It was a really lovely day, and we’re very grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.

07/10/2026

Who’s noticed the days getting shorter and feels like there’s a shift in the season?

Shortening autumn days start to reduce natural light,and can disrupt the brain's internal clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus) and circadian rhythm. If you add a brain injury on top, this can intensify fatigue, low mood, sleep disturbances, brain fog and concentration issues.

It’s worth being aware of these changes as there are steps you can take which can help.

Practical Ways to Manage Winter Days

Morning Light Exposure: Step outside or sit near a bright window soon after waking up to help anchor your circadian rhythm.

Light Therapy: Consider using a certified 10,000-lux light therapy box in the morning. Speak to your doctor or healthcare professional for guidance on whether it’s suitable for you.

Pace your energy: Break tasks into smaller, manageable blocks and rest before fatigue peaks. This can help reduce the likelihood of those really difficult “bad days.”

Keep a consistent routine: Try to maintain regular wake-up and sleep times, even as daylight hours change.

Small changes can really make a difference. So, as the days get shorter, be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and give yourself the support you need.

If you are finding this time of year hard you don’t have to manage on your own — help is available.

We encourage you to reach out for support if you need it. You can contact us on 01206 845945 or email [email protected].

https://www.headwayessex.org.uk/2026/10/07/shorter-days-changing-seasons-looking-after-yourself-through-autumn-and-winter/

06/10/2026

These stunning views are from Thorndon Park Golf Club this morning.
We’re wishing everyone taking part in the Headway Essex Charity Golf Day a fantastic day on the course. We hope you have a brilliant time and that the sun keeps shining!

Good luck to everyone playing!

02/10/2026

Our new Wellbeing Hub is taking shape!

We have some really exciting news to share. We’re building a Wellbeing Hub at our centre in Colchester!

Today, we had a site visit with Dan from SDE Contract to see how our new purpose-built Wellbeing Hub is taking shape.

It’s amazing to see the building starting to come to life and to think about what it will mean for the people we support.

The Hub will provide an accessible, welcoming environment where people living with brain injury can access rehabilitation, therapy, exercise and wellbeing support.

Having this dedicated space will give people the opportunity to continue working towards their goals in an environment designed around the challenges they may face. We know how important familiarity and feeling safe can be, and we’re really excited to create a place where people can feel comfortable, supported and confident.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us and helped us get to this stage. We're especially garteful for the generous support of funders and donors, including a £100,000 grant from the Colchester Freemasons and £50,000 from Colchester Catalyst Charity without whom this project would not have been possible.

There’s still lots to do, but it’s fantastic to see the Hub becoming a reality.

You can read more about the Wellbeing Hub and why it means so much to the people we support here: https://www.headwayessex.org.uk/2026/10/02/a-new-chapter-for-brain-injury-rehabilitation-in-essex/