Recipient of the 2017 COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

Brain Injury Association of Peel & Halton (BIAPH)

Nominated For: COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

The Brain Injury Association of Peel and Halton – BIAPH was pleased to learn that we had been selected as a nominee for an Award of Excellence in Brain Injury Rehabilitation in the Community Brain Injury Association of the Year category.

BIAPH became a registered charity on May 01, 1986. Since its inception BIAPH has been providing support to brain injured survivors and their caregivers living in the regions Peel and Halton.

BIAPH conducts monthly support groups throughout Peel and Halton. These groups offer a safe place to connect, share experiences and support each other. Our groups also offer a caregiver component where the many tireless and dedicated caregivers can connect and support each other. At some of our support group meetings we draw on our community for guest speakers on a regular basis who give presentation on a variety of topics that have been identified by the group. In addition, BIAPH organizes social events throughout the year as well as specialized programs such as peer support and caregiver relief.

This past year BIAPH created a new and unique support group called Headspin. Over the years we had survivors in their late teens and twenties attending support groups, many times accompanied by a parent. Based on feedback from these “younger” survivors we came to realize that what this demographic was lacking was a social activity based place to connect. Typically, this group is dealing with social isolations as their friends “move on” with their lives, pursuing post-secondary education and careers. BIAPH applied for and obtained funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to implement this new program for this under-served group of survivors. The members choose to name this group “Headspin”. Over the past months the group has gone bowling, played billiard, played mini-put, connected for a meal, gone to a coffee bar and participated in cooking classes where they prepared a meal which they got to sit down and enjoy afterwards. As a special treat, some members recently attended an afternoon Blue Jay game.

BIAPH’s caregiver relief program is sustained through donations, fund raising efforts and sponsorships. This program provides successful applicants with 4 hours of PSW services weekly for one year. Depending on circumstances the PSW attempts to take the client out for an activity offering some respite to the caregivers. BIAPH is an active participant in the Peer Mentoring Program; our association has been recognized as having the most matches in the province.

Our upcoming plans include expanding the reach of our support group program to under served areas within our borders.

Thank you again for this consideration, good luck to all the nominees.

Jorun Rucels

Executive Director – BIAPH

For more information visit: www.biaph.com