Headway London

Headway London We support people living with acquired brain injury in our Hackney centre and in the community. You probably know someone who has survived a brain injury.

Find us on
Instagram: .london and
BlueSky: .bsky.social
LinkedIn: Headway London Road traffic accidents, falls, assaults and strokes have left over 150,000 Londoners disabled by brain injury. A brain injury can have a life changing effect on the individual, their
families and carers. Some people will need to deal with significant and on-going difficulties

with their memory, concentration, emotions or behaviour as well as physical disability. These individuals may also face barriers when trying to re-enter the workplace and the wider community. At Headway East London we ensure that people affected by brain injury get the support they need, make new friends and find new hope. We run Headway House, the only brain injury centre of its kind in inner London to offer specialist services and neuro therapies. We believe that everyone has something to contribute within Headway and the wider community – that every person with a brain injury should be valued, respected and deserves every opportunity to live a full and active life. Just Giving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/headwayelondon

Headway East London: Affiliated to Headway – the brain injury association
Registered Charity No. 1083910. Company Registration No. 3998925

As we wrap up Volunteers’ Week, our Chief Executive, Sarah Lansbury, has penned a special message for the magical humans...
05/06/2026

As we wrap up Volunteers’ Week, our Chief Executive, Sarah Lansbury, has penned a special message for the magical humans who keep our organisation afloat and make it what it is… our irreplaceable volunteers! She writes:

"From playing pool, to helping stitch, to editing videos and raising money - volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Headway London and make so much of the magic possible.
Over the years, I’ve watched so many beautiful and trusting relationships grow through chats over a cup of tea, making kimonos together, support in the kitchen, and time spent in Submit to Love Studio and music groups. The relationships you build, the trust you create, and the positive way you support members to do what they want (and need) is incredible. It never goes unnoticed and is always appreciated.
Volunteers’ Week is our chance to celebrate you and everything you bring to our community, both in our services and behind the scenes. I love seeing it happen every day.
From me and all the team at Headway London - a huge thank you. We couldn’t do it without you."

Join us at Signature Brew Haggerston on 2nd July for a special evening of film, music and community, all in support of H...
04/06/2026

Join us at Signature Brew Haggerston on 2nd July for a special evening of film, music and community, all in support of Headway London 🧠💪

At the heart of the night is a screening of 'Looks Okay, Are They Okay?', a powerful short film by much-loved Headway London volunteer Barrie Stradling, sharing an honest look at the hidden realities of life after brain injury.

Barrie spoke candidly about his experience when he was interviewed for our storytelling project Who Are You Now:

“[After my injury] I kept asking people, ‘Am I okay?’ You have to relearn how to function. How do you learn to walk up the stairs? To sing? To write? Partly, it’s a confidence thing… Can I still do it?”

If you know Barrie, you’ll also know he’d never make a fuss about his talent, but as his mate Dave will tell you:

“Barrie's humility is one of his endearing qualities. He would never brag - people just knew him as Barrie from the pub, or football or whatever.

When he would start to sing people were astonished. Everybody I ever knew... their jaws would hit the floor. He was amazingly talented. He could emulate the best: Otis Redding or one of those guys. As a soul singer he was up there."

After the film, Barrie will be joined on stage by his close-knit musical community, including Soul of a Lion, for a powerful, soulful set celebrating resilience, friendship and the joy of music 🎶

🎟️ Tickets: £10 (+ booking fee) via Signature Brew
🕕 6PM – Doors
🎬 6:30PM – Film screening
🎤 8PM – Live music

Come along, bring your friends, and show your support 💫 Link in bio!

02/06/2026

This Volunteers’ Week, we’re celebrating the people who make Headway London feel like home 💙

In this video, Derry shares how what started volunteering as an opportunity to get out of the flat after struggling to find work post-brain-injury soon turned into a great pleasure and joy — giving him the chance to give back to people in the same boat and feel part of a big family.

Viktoria also shares how she found a second home and the most beautiful community

As she puts it: “It’s not just about giving… you’re getting a lot here.”

From playing pool, to helping stitch, to editing videos and raising money, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, making so much of the magic possible.

Whether it’s chats over a cup of tea (or 'toffee', our famous mix of coffee and tea combined, invented by our beloved member Tony A), making kimonos together, support in the kitchen, or time spent in and our music group, it never goes unnoticed and is always appreciated.

From the bottom of our collective, big ol’ beating heart — thank you 💙

With our second site in South London opening this summer, we’ll soon be welcoming new volunteers to join our growing family.

✨ Watch this space — we’d love you to be part of it. More info coming very soon!

Headway EATS is back and we’re counting down the days… just 6 weeks to go!After a couple of special one-off events (from...
29/05/2026

Headway EATS is back and we’re counting down the days… just 6 weeks to go!

After a couple of special one-off events (from Winter Feast fundraiser sponsored by our friends at Irwin Mitchell, to our most recent takeover of by ), this next edition of our beloved supper club marks the return of our regular programming - back on home turf with a bang, and this time celebrating the theme of friendship loud and proud.

We're talking about the kind of platonic romances you see all around Headway London: iconic duos lingering in the smoking area, playful rivalries formed over the snooker table (and microwave 👀), voices harmonising in our music sessions, and artists sharing brushes in the studio.

This evening is all about those connections - with a secret menu brewing and friendship at the heart of everything we’ll be plating up on the night ✨

Join us on Thursday 9 July, 6.30–9.30pm for a relaxed, feel-good evening by the canal.

Bring a pal (or make a new one!).

We can't wait to see you there...
📍 Our East London home in Haggerston
🎟️ Book your ticket now (🔗 in bio!)

29/05/2026

Headway London has officially come down with a serious case of Red Fever 🔴🤒

As some gear up for a weekend of victory, others sulk into their lunch and stare at the canal dreaming of glories gone by…

Here’s a rare peek behind the studio curtain: Tony A declaring he’s “Always been a Gunner since he was born!” in signature rainbow bubble letters while Errol proudly shows off his cannon in fiery red, orange and yellow

All soundtracked by supportive cheers from Mike… and the not-so-subtle Liverpool chant from Sean in the background 😂

Beautiful chaos, as always ❤️

24/05/2026

To wrap up ABI Week and celebrate 1 week since our Headway London launch, we’re so excited to share our very first music video debut - the premiere of our Original song 'Monday' 🎥🎶

A real labour of love from our endlessly creative and vivacious music group, co-written and created with our Music Lead James Compton and our brilliant guest director Mary Mullan 💫

From our members feeling “trapped inside a maze… inside [their] heads” to glimpsing “a shaft of light, a long long way ahead” - this song holds space for the all the nuances and complexities of navigating life after a brain injury. And we think it's frankly brilliant.

Band Aid, eat your heart out!

22/05/2026

For ABI Week, we’re sharing stories from our community in their own words. This is part two: Sue.

Sue is a much-loved member of Headway London.

You’ll often hear her before you see her... laughing, chuckling, or breaking into Moon River in the music group. She’s a key part of the women’s group too, bringing warmth and humour wherever she goes.

But like many people living with an acquired brain injury, Su’s challenges aren’t always visible.

“People see a normal-looking person,” she says. “They’re mind blown when you keep asking their name… it gets on their nerves, doesn’t it? It gets on my nerves!"

It’s something many people with brain injury face - the invisible pressure of looking “fine” on the outside, while dealing with things others can’t always see or don’t understand.

At Headway, Sue doesn’t have to explain herself. She’s understood, supported, and celebrated for exactly who she is — and she’s a cherished part of our community.

Press play to hear her story 👉 and keep an eye out on Sunday for a very special appearance from Sue in our debut Headway music video... 🚀❣️👀

19/05/2026

If you spend time at Headway London, you’ll know Innez.

You’ll often find her stirring pots in the kitchen with Zuber, plotting her next holiday (and packing her case months in advance), talking about her grandchildren (who she spoils relentlessly), or nattering in the smoking area with Marie-Claire...

Innez is the life and soul of our supper clubs. She doesn’t mince her words. And she always makes us laugh.

After an acquired brain injury and months in a coma, Innez found a community at Headway London - and she brings so much to it, and to all of Us Lot, every week.

As part of ABI Week, she’s sharing what it really feels like to live with brain injury, in her own words.

“Headway [London] saved my life in many, many ways.”, she says. “Even when I tease him and he winds me up, my key worker Zuber is the best. And Natalie who I work with is my world. They always have time for you here. I will forever be grateful to Headway!”

Press play to read her story 👉

18/05/2026

Today marks the start of Action for Brain Injury (ABI) Week, a time to raise awareness of brain injury and its impact.

This year’s theme is loneliness and isolation.

Last week, we shared some big news: after almost 30 years, we’re becoming Headway London, alongside a new brand and our plan for the next five years.

That plan is rooted in something simple:
how we grow without losing our magic in East London, and how we grow what we have and share it thoughtfully, making sure no one slips through the cracks.

Before sharing it, our members, volunteers, supporters and staff got on a bus and headed to Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park 🎤

To meet the public, to start conversations, and to take what we’re building out into the open.
There was laughter.
There was joy.
(And yes, there was a bit of playful heckling at cyclists whizzing past without their helmets on… “naughty, naughty!”)

We spoke to people about who we are and who we’re becoming -
why our work matters, and what life after brain injury can feel like.

Our members shared their own experiences of isolation, and how being part of Headway [East] London has helped them find connection again.

Because love, community and creativity can be powerful antidotes to loneliness.

Our strategy sets out six aims for the years ahead:
1. Grow what we have, and share it thoughtfully
2. Build relationships across London
3. Make access to support fairer
4. Grow our specialist projects, keeping their magic
5. Build a financially strong future, true to our values
6. Create a research and learning hub powered by lived experience

This is already starting to take shape, beginning with a new service in South East London.
Because where you live shouldn’t decide the support you get and no one should have to face brain injury alone.

15/05/2026

Where you live shouldn’t decide what support you get after brain injury.

This animation - written and voiced by our members and staff - shares our plan for the next five years, and how we’ll grow carefully, fairly and together.

As we become Headway London, we’ll build on what already works - strengthening our community in East London, developing a new centre in South East London, and growing in the parts of the city where support is hardest to access.

We’ll continue to expand our creative projects, support more people to take on meaningful roles, and work in partnership with boroughs, NHS teams and community organisations to connect people to the right support at the right time.

We’re also investing in our future - building sustainable funding, creating more opportunities for members, and developing a research and learning hub led by people with lived experience.

Because support should be shaped by the people it’s for, and accessible to more people across London.

Explore our 2026–2031 strategy 👉 headwaylondon.org/about-us/our-strategy

Animation by Will at Maneki Motion for Headway London
Voiceover by members of Headway London

Address

238-240 Kingsland Road
London
E28AX

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+442077497790

Website

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