Statement from Margot Basketfield, Manager of Headway Northampton:
Margot says:
“We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Without National Lottery players we would not have been able to employ these tutors and provide these groups for our clients. This is important because we know how invaluable the group activities are for therapeutic rehabilitation, as well as helping to address the physical and mental problems caused by brain injury. The activities improve the client’s ability to function at home and in the community, help them to adapt to changes as they occur through recovery and provide social and emotional support.”
The lottery grant was awarded at the beginning of the year to enabling Headway Northampton to employ specialist tutors and the grant ends in October.
Please take time to look at the work below and give us your feedback in the comments area at the bottom of this page.
All poster artwork and the writings have been copyrighted to be used only by Headway Northampton.
If you are able to help us with producing the posters so that they can be used to promote a better understanding of brain injury, or help with the publishing of the writings that have been written, please contact us at Headway Northampton if you would like to help us.
POSTERS & POEMS
The Unseen Monster that Changed the World
Poems and artwork created in the Creative Expression Group at Headway Northampton. Produced: 2021
Life Locked Down
Written by the Creative Expression Group at Headway Northampton. Produced: 2021
How can I make life bearable, rough times, hidden and locked away
People we know cruelly taken away by this evil, pray it’s not here to stay.
How do you change and overcome the way life has now become,
Whilst locked away from all loved ones, especially no 1 my mum,
The virus is devious, changing, adapting, continuing to pollute,
I understand that there is a road to travel, but I just can’t map the route.
Once I was happy and carefree, once I laughed more than I cried,
Buried deep within can it be set free? I won’t know until I’ve tried.
Perhaps it’s just a dream? Truth is more a nightmare I would say,
As I sit and ponder what my life is now, and what lockdown has taken away.
Life has changed no longer is it the same, as I open up my door, yet again,
This time we’ve a weapon to fight back, a vaccine, and tests to find the strain.
I’m told that once I have the two jabs, I am safer, but even then it won’t go away,
Somehow time has come to face the new challenges, learn to live a new day, every day,
As the world, once again gradually opens up, taking life slowly, one day at a time.
I can hear, a lost sound in the distance, as church bells again are allowed to chime.
New beginning—Brave New World
Written by the Creative Expression Group at Headway Northampton. Produced: 2021
My world is closing in on me, trapped afraid, all routine stripped away,
Lost with no-one to care, no Headway support, my life in disarray,
How long before this world unfurls, and we can start our lives again,
SO! Keep safe, learn the rules, keep your distance, wear your mask,
Have the vaccine, grab back some control, is that really too much to ask?
Life‘s no longer on pause, chains released, we can open up the doors,
Send out the buses, the cars, trains, and planes and open up the stores,
Restriction’s lift, it’s up to us to follow our own rules, then there’s hope not pain
Keeping the virus at bay, keeping ourselves bug free, starting to live again,
If we do it right then we can keep safe, bask in the sun or even in the rain,
Walking up the road, now I can see Headway gates right in front of me,
Buzz, Buzz, press the bell, open up, let me in, I can see and hear the laughter,
My world opens up wide, people chatting, means life’s feeling brighter,
No more hiding away, I chat laugh with friends, feeling safe, drinking tea,
In a place I’m not alone, because here my friends are all the same as me,
This is my world where I’m understood and can share worries and fears,
No more locked down no more afraid, scared, and alone shedding tears.
COMIC POSTER ART
Introduction to the idea of taking single comic book images out of context and re-reading the image content to suit a different purpose. In this case as posters to highlight long term effects of brain injury.
Social Isolation
Short Term Memory
MASKS / DRAMA/ ART
The use of masks in theatre. How expressions have changed. How masks have been used in modern society, linking to Covid. Use of expression to represent how they feel about the wearing of masks. The idea of explaining how masks can alter a person’s feelings. Language development.
Photos of some of the work that was created in the workshops.
This mask portrays the idea of camouflage and how a “mask” enables us to hide our feelings and emotions like a lizard that can sneak around unnoticed.
This mask was created to reflect negative words however the client was also able to see a light at the end of a tunnel which is why the mask portrays negative words and the canvas portrays positive imagery.
Supported by:
Affiliated to:
Notes to Editors:
About The National Lottery Community Fund
We are the largest community funder in the UK – we’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since June 2004, we have made over 200,000 grants and awarded over £9 billion to projects that have benefited millions of people.
We are passionate about funding great ideas that matter to communities and make a difference to people’s lives. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that when people are in the lead, communities thrive. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, our funding is open to everyone. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local group’s right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.
