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Brainkind shows off York state of the art neurological centre to partners and supporters

Brainkind Grand Opening
  • Rachael Maskell officially opens the Brainkind Neurological Centre York
  • Launch attended by donors, supporters, local media, dignitaries and people supported at the hospital
  • Opening marks new direction for expanding charity, with renewed focus on clinical excellence

Onew neurolver 70 guests gathered on 20 June to celebrate the opening of the charity Brainkind’s ogical centre in Knavesmire, York. The facility offers cutting-edge support for 40 people with brain injuries, from Yorkshire and across the UK.

Among the guests were the award-winning architects Jefferson Sheard – who designed the building – and donors and partners including York Racecourse, who have recently announced Brainkind as a Community Partner.

Brainkind has launched a new strategy that focuses on supporting more people with brain injuries and further developing clinical excellence. The charity is keen to develop more partnerships across the UK in communities like York to boost fundraising and volunteering.

The new building was recently shortlisted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards for the Community Benefit Project category. It was designed to put the needs of patients front and centre and includes the latest technology, including seamless wi-fi connectivity – which enables people with brain injuries to be supported in new ways.

The centre’s new sensory room was opened earlier this month. It was made possible by a generous donation from The Kirkby Foundation, who attended the launch event. The room provides sensory support, relaxation and controlled sensory experiences for adults with acquired brain injuries and severe cognitive impairments.

Brainkind staff offer compassionate, specialised person-centred care on-site through a multidisciplinary team, led by psychiatrists and neuropsychologists. The team includes occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation support workers.

I am delighted to open the Brainkind Neurological Centre in York. Having worked as a physiotherapist I know the huge benefits of physical rehabilitation so it is really interesting for me to see that a gym, sensory room and accessible gardens are part of the state of the art facilities here. I am really pleased that this service is based in York and is already forging partnerships in the local community. This hospital will benefit people in York, and nationally, who have an acquired brain injury or other neurological conditions’

Rachael Maskell

We have been part of York’s community for many years so to finally be able to open this purpose-built building, designed with the people we support and our staff in mind, is really a special moment. The communal areas/walkways and courtyards promote 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 can meet local and national needs now and into the future. Also, because we are a charity we can do more to work with the local community here to build meaningful sustainable partnerships

Irene Sobowale, CEO Brainkind

I am delighted to be at the official opening of our new service in York. We can now offer compassionate, specialised person-centred care through a multidisciplinary team, led by psychiatrists and neuropsychologists to people in York and coming from further afield. Our team includes a range of specialists including occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation support workers.

Dr Rudi Coetzer, Clinical Director Brainkind

Notes to editors

All media enquiries to anastasia.fawcett@brainkind.org or 07785 938 322

About Brainkind Neurological Centre York:

https://brainkind.org/services/brainkind-neurological-centre-york/

About Rachael Maskell:

https://www.rachaelmaskell.com/

About Brainkind:

Brainkind (formerly The Disabilities Trust) is the UK’s leading charity helping people to reach their best potential after a brain injury.

We provide innovative rehabilitation and ongoing support to ensure life after brain injury can be a life well lived – and personally meaningful to the person with the brain injury.

With over 40 years’ experience and expertise in brain injury and neurorehabilitation, we understand how a brain injury can challenge every aspect of life.

At Brainkind, we are committed to providing personalised, compassionate treatment and care. Led by a team of clinical experts, our services include physical and cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy as well as educational and emotional support designed to empower an individual as well as their families.

Our services provide a range of treatment, support, and care for people with brain injuries and other neurological conditions. We support people with immediate rehabilitation following hospital treatment, helping them regain lost skills or to find new ways of compensating for lost abilities, as well as providing long term care.

With experts including physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and more, our teams provide the care and treatment you need, helping the people we support to live more independently or to meet your goals, whatever they might be.

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