A specialist care home in Waltham Abbey, has been marking Action for Brain Injury Week (ABI) (May 18-24) with a community event celebrating recovery, resilience and inclusion.
1 Sewardstone Close (1SC) Care Home is run by Enable Care and provides specialist nursing care and rehabilitation services for people living with acquired brain injuries (ABI) and neurological conditions. The home used the awareness week as an opportunity to celebrate achievements, raise awareness and reflect on the journeys of the individuals it supports.
The 29-bedroom home hosted a full day of events for residents, team members, friends, families and members of the local community. Invitations were also extended to services which support the home to thank them for their collective effort and commitment to maintaining the home’s compassion, dignity and person-centred care. Guests enjoyed live music, a barbeque and a spring market selling plants and seedlings, handmade crafts, homemade cakes and biscuits, alongside a jumble sale and tombola.
ABI Week is an annual UK campaign, led by Headway, the brain injury association, and focuses on increasing understanding of acquired brain injuries and the challenges faced by survivors, families and carers. This year’s theme explored understanding, community, recovery and brain health, with a particular focus on isolation.
Resident Jeffery Gear, 41, who has lived at the home since 2023 said: “This feels like home to me and the team help to make it that way. Events like this are important because they help people understand more about brain injury.”
Resident Ricky Ogiefo, 32, who moved into the home in 2015, enjoys the activities and rehabilitation opportunities available at 1SC. “Being here has given me confidence,” he said. “I like knowing that other people who come here can also be helped with their rehabilitation, as I have been.”
The home is proud to hold a Headway Approved Provider Accreditation Award and has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Headway for four consecutive years. The accreditation recognises the home’s commitment to a holistic, person-centred rehabilitation and promoting independence.
1SC was also recently named a Finalist in the Best Specialist Care Category at the National Care Home Awards 2026 and shortlisted in the Best Neurological Care Provider category at the Neurological and Complex Care Awards 2025.
Resident Gary Bradley, 61, has regained mobility during his time at the home. He has lived at 1SC for the past three years. “Marking this week helps people understand more about what life with a brain injury can be like,” he said.
Funds raised during the day were donated to the home’s chosen charities Headway and Different Strokes.
Hands-on activities included an inclusive craft table where attendees painted stones with positive messages for the home’s garden. Visitors could also meet members of the therapy team to learn more about rehabilitation and the support available for people living with ABI.
Rehabilitation Assistant, Aniisah Panawoolla, said, “ABI Week is an important opportunity to celebrate the resilience and progress of the individuals we support.
“For residents at 1SC, events like this encourage confidence, social interaction, and a stronger sense of inclusion within the community. It’s always incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact meaningful engagement and shared experiences can have on residents’ wellbeing and independence.”
Leading the team is Home Manager, Marie Goodwin, who has a personal connection to the cause.
“This week is incredibly important to me personally because I’ve seen first-hand, through my dad, the impact an acquired brain injury can have on individuals and families,” she said.
“Isolation can be a huge challenge for people living with ABI, which is why creating opportunities for connection and community is so important to us at 1SC. I would encourage people to keep having conversations about ABI, continue learning, and never underestimate the impact that compassion and inclusion can have on someone’s life.
“As well as raising awareness, events like help to encourage understanding and remind people that life after brain injury can still hold purpose, joy and connection when the right support is in place.”
