After a period in Local Government, Baroness Cumberlege was appointed to Chair of the Brighton Health Authority and subsequently the South West Thames Regional Health Authority where she made radical changes to mental health services. She was ennobled in 1990 and in 1992 was appointed a Junior Health Minister. For five years she covered all health matters in the House of Lords and chaired a review of community nursing which initiated nurses being able to prescribe and become registered prescribers. She was commissioned by two Governments to produce national reports entitled ‘Neighbourhood Nursing – a Focus for Care’ and ‘Changing Childbirth’.

Baroness Cumberlege is a governor of Lancing College and is patron of the National Childbirth Trust, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, a Vice President of the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives. In 2020 she led a major NHS review of maternity services and the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Review for the Government.

Ian has personal experience and understanding of the issues faced by people living with a brain injury and their families and carers. He is keen to hear from clients and carers and to directly feedback views to the wider Board of Trustees.

His wide professional background is in environmental and public health education and promotion. He is an expert trainer having designed and run courses and programmes to improve health services and health practice in the UK and overseas. He remains a Trustee of a Children’s Health and Development charity in Kenya.

Ian’s work across health and social care includes project development in mental health, homelessness, HIV and Aids and community out of hours services. He has been a committed and long term volunteer and advocate for development of Headway services and supports the Eastbourne Living Well Support Group. He is involved in community life in Uckfield, particularly in music and has performed in musical comedy productions for over 45 years.

Ian also leads on Client and Carer engagement for the Board and is pleased to hear from anyone wishing to hear from anyone – 07442 915430 or email ian.foster@headwaysussex.org.uk

Meet our Financial Accountant, Rob, the backbone of our financial operations.

With a sharp focus on detail and a commitment to efficiency, Rob manages the day-to-day finances of our charity.

From budgeting and accounting to financial reporting and compliance, Rob ensures that our resources are handled responsibly and transparently.

Rob’s expertise ensures that our financial systems run smoothly, allowing us to focus on our mission of making a positive difference in our community.

Sam was first involved with Headway as a service-user and has since moved on to work for the charity. Sam brings us invaluable personal insight and perspective particularly in the experience of people after discharge.

He is now running the Brighton Support Group and our Headway Sussex Futures Group and expanding our online groups via Zoom and our face to face groups to reach an increasing number of participants.

Sam is a Trustee at the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum and is keen to promote greater understanding of brain injury.

He is completing his MSc in Health Promotion at the University of Brighton and has focused his dissertation study on return to work after brain injury.

Arlette has been a Counsellor for over 30 years. She has also been a Carer for her brain injured son for 27 years and has acquired extensive knowledge of brain anatomy and brain function. She understands the cognitive, psychological, emotional and behavioural challenges that people may face following brain injury.

Arlette draws on her own life experiences to enable her to help others to re-build their lives and overcome the struggles and obstacles along the difficult journey to recovery. She adopts a person-centred approach to walk alongside her clients, guiding them towards acceptance and enabling them to develop coping strategies and find their own way forward.

Michaela has been a counsellor for 8 years. Having volunteered for Headway over 6 years she has strong understanding of the impact of a brain injury gained through interaction with clients and family members. She specialises in biography work, bereavement and topics related to brain injury.

Michaela comments that in the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity. People can change their destiny. Everyone given the right conditions and circumstances has an innate tendency towards positive growth. The role of Counselling and Psychotherapy in moments of difficulty is to provide support to discover opportunities and create new narratives for life.

 She practices in East Grinstead, Forest Row and Newick and can offer phone, online and face to face counselling.

Gill is an experienced BACP accredited counsellor and group facilitator and has worked with Headway since 2011.  She has personal and professional understanding of managing the challenges of acquired brain injury and works with both clients and family carers. Her voluntary work with Headway achieved a national Headway award in 2019.

Gill works holistically and creatively, incorporating various trainings such as Biographical Counselling, Anthroposophic Psychotherapy (holistic understanding) and EMDR (Eye Movement Therapy).  Her work includes counselling people who have experienced trauma; life-changing events; loss; anxiety; depression; long-term chronic illness; and anybody who feels ‘stuck’ and is looking for a new direction.

Gill works in Brighton but can offer online and phone counselling more widely.

Pete holds a BSC with Honours in Person-Centred Counselling. As a Headway volunteer for 3 years he gained understanding of the impact of a  brain injury. He also has personal and professional experience of mental health challenges.

Pete volunteers within the wider charity field supporting people living with or recovering from cancer and family and friends affected. He has also had training and experience counselling clients with addiction issues.

Pete practices in Newhaven and can offer phone, online and face to face counselling in the area.

A person-centred Counsellor with over 21 years of working experience, Bobbie is a specialist in neurological rehabilitation and brain injury both acquired and traumatic. She offers focused counselling with a view to clients reaching their full potential and enablement.

As a Digital Fundraising and Marketing Lead, Roxanne is at the forefront of developing and executing digital campaigns that engage donors, volunteers, and stakeholders, to help secure financial support for Headway Sussex.

In addition, Roxanne looks after our Website, Social Media platforms plus drives forward the adoption of digital technologies and ways of working.

Roxanne enjoys her days at Newick connecting with the clients and carers, as well as her fellow colleagues. This role is about bringing people together to create positive change, one click at a time.

Samantha has worked in the voluntary sector for many years within youth, animal welfare, and infrastructure charities. She has held roles such as Fundraising, Regional Development, Media Coordinator and CEO and is currently a trustee for Making Space.

Samantha has previously worked for Headway and is delighted to be working for Headway Sussex.

Ian has returned to Headway Sussex to the role that he had previously held some years ago as Facilities Manager where he is responsible for the safety, management and maintenance of the site, buildings and facilities at Headway Sussex’s main site in Newick.

Ian is able to bring to this role his previous property and construction experience gained in private practice, local and central government and welcomes the opportunity to be working again at Headway with clients and colleagues both old and new alike.