Ashtons Legal taking part in Carers Week

Posted 02/06/2013

Ashtons Legal is running a free drop in advice clinic for carers of brain injured relatives and friends during Carers Week, which takes place on 10 – 16 June 2013. The clinic will be held on Thursday June 13 at the Costessy Centre, Longwater Lane, Norwich, NRB 5AH from 10am-3pm. All carers who attend this Brain Injury Group clinic could win a well-deserved spa break for two worth £199 by entering the free draw – or enter online at: braininjurygroup.co.uk/carers.“When someone suffers a brain injury, it is often a family member who steps up to the challenge of caring for their injured loved one,” says Ben Ward, a medical injury specialist solicitor at Ashtons Legal. “The role of a brain injury carer is demanding and life-changing, but often help is available in terms of funding, guidance and support,” he explains. “We work in the best interests of the whole family, not just the brain-injured individual, and we can advise carers about the opportunities that may be available to them to ease their physical and financial burden.”

Ashtons Legal is a member of the Brain Injury Group, which provides a gateway to support from expert brain injury solicitors, case workers and associated professionals who work together to assist brain injured people and their carers. The impact of a brain injury can be shattering on a family and it brings an immediate care need that can be neither foreseen nor prepared for.  

The Brain Injury Group recognises these diverse needs and brings together a network of specialist brain injury solicitors to help with a legal claim, guidance on welfare and benefits and a statutory funding advice service to bring clarity and peace of mind.  It also signposts people to support groups where they can meet others in a similar position.

“Carers play a vital role in the long term support and recovery of people with brain injuries and we work hard to secure fair compensation to support carers in their work,” says Sally Dunscombe, co-founder and director of the Brain Injury Group. “Brain injuries can have a devastating effect on the whole family, which is why it’s so important people receive the right legal advice and support services to help them manage the years ahead.

“It is estimated that 40% of carers are at risk from depression through the stress of caring so we have experts in place who are able to offer advice, comfort and practical support to the carer,” continues Sally.

Information and signposting for all
There is a wealth of information and signposting to reliable services and support groups for anyone affected by brain injury at www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/carers.  This includes the BIG Directory of services which has links to a wide range of products and services to help people with a brain injury, regardless of how it occurred.

For more information about Carers Week, visit www.carersweek.org