Brainkind staff and people supported at the Neurological Centre York are delighted to welcome Rachel Maskell MP for York Central on Friday to the new, state of the art service.

• Rachael Maskell MP for York Central visits new Brainkind Neurological Centre York
• Centre opens following the charity’s acquisition of three new complex care neurological services in late 2023
• Activity supports Brainkind’s new brand and organisational strategy

Brainkind is a charity working with people with an acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions. The opening of the new building, following the acquisition of three neurological services last year, and the launch of a new brand and strategy marks the beginning of a new exciting era for the organisation.

The charity supports people with an acquired brain injury and complex needs such as cognitive, physical and/or emotional difficulties, including physical and verbal aggression, impaired social functioning, and disinhibited behaviour.

Brainkind staff offer compassionate, specialised person-centred care through a multidisciplinary team, led by psychiatrists and neuropsychologists. It includes a range of specialists including occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation support workers.

The centre’s new sensory room was opened earlier this month. This was made possible by a generous donation from The Kirkby Foundation. The equipment provides sensory support, relaxation and controlled sensory experiences for adults with acquired brain injuries and severe cognitive impairments. Our clinicians work with the people we support in this less formal setting to practise their functional skills and engage in different forms of meaningful activity.

Last week the Brainkind Neurological Centre York was shortlisted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards for the Community Benefit Project category. This is a significant achievement for a charity supporting people with an acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions.

On Friday Brainkind are welcoming Rachael Maskell MP to hear first-hand about the charity’s work. Rachael used to work as a physiotherapist so she will be visiting the gym and talking to some of the people supported at the centre and staff about the role physical activity plays in rehabilitation.

Like all charities in the health and care sector Brainkind is facing many challenges but strives for clinical excellence with a multi-disciplinary approach. It is also launching a new fundraising and community engagement programme to recruit and support volunteers and embed its services into local communities.

It is great to have this new service in York for people with an acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions. I am really looking forward to seeing the gym – having worked as a physiotherapist I know the huge benefits of physical rehabilitation and it will be good to know more about how this is put into practice for people with an acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions.

Rachael Maskell, MP York Central

It is amazing to see how quickly the people we support and our staff have settled into the Brainkind Neurological Centre York. From the state-of-the-art gym to the café and outdoor spaces from the sensory room to the atrium with trees it is really rewarding to see the positive impact this is having on people with an acquired brain injury or other neurological conditions.

Sarah Chadwick, Manager Brainkind Neurological Centre York

I am so impressed by the finer details of this building. The behavioural architects have done a really good job. Everything from the acoustics to the inside and outside spaces have really been thought about to foster a sense of community. The building has been designed with the people we support and our staff front and centre and importantly gives us room to grow in the future.

Dr Miles Rogish, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Brainkind

This building has been designed with the people we support and our staff in mind. The communal areas/walkways and courtyards facilitate a sense of community while ensuring there is space when people want to be alone. This, coupled with all the specialist treatments being available in one place, means the Brainkind Neurological Centre York marks the beginning of a new era for Brainkind and a step change for care for people with an acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions.

Irene Sobowale, CEO Brainkind