What is a brain injury?
A brain injury can sometimes mean a few different things. It’s an umbrella term, and its definition can depend on who you’re asking.
In general, you can have brain injuries such as a direct injury to the head or a condition that damages the brain.
Direct injuries
Can mean an external force hitting the head and damaging parts of the brain that can lead to cognitive, physical, and neurological complications.
It can happen when you fall, and your head hits something like the floor, during motor accidents, sports injuries, and more.
Conditions
Can mean things such as a stroke or aneurysm that can also damage parts of the brain and cause issues.
Here at Headway Shropshire, we understand and are witnesses to the severity and impact of brain injuries.
It’s why we are committed to our client’s recovery and reablement.
We focus on person-centered interventions for a holistic approach to our personalised care plans.
The brain is more than just an organ; it represents who we are
Beyond these effects on the body, brain injuries also imply a change in the person themself.
The brain is more than an organ it houses the things that make us who we are, driving our every thought, feeling, and action. It is the control center when we go through our daily lives, as we wash our clothes, cook our food, talk to friends and family, and walk through life.
This is why brain injuries can have such significant impacts on our identities and independence.
What are the long-term effects of brain injury?
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, brain injury survivors can experience short-term and long-term effects on a person’s cognitive and physical state. No two injuries are the same and can differ greatly from person to person depending on the cause, location, severity, and more
Some long-term effects may be:
- Thinking and memory changes
- Difficulties in communication
- Limited mobility
- Emotional changes
Many of these effects are also hidden because effects are not always seen or recognized, which also makes ABI a misunderstood disability.
Why our work is needed
Brain injury can change far more than a person’s health. Its effects can be physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural, and many are invisible to other people. Difficulties with memory, concentration, fatigue, communication, confidence and emotional regulation can affect relationships, employment, independence and everyday life. Some effects improve over time, while others can remain for years or be lifelong.
The scale is significant. In 2023–24 there were 335,409 UK hospital admissions relating to acquired brain injury – around 919 every day, or one every 90 seconds. These include injuries arising from causes such as head trauma, stroke, brain tumours and other acquired conditions. But the impact often continues long after someone leaves hospital or completes formal rehabilitation.
Headway UK’s 2026 survey found that 87% of survivor respondents and 85% of carer respondents who had not previously felt lonely experienced loneliness after brain injury. Among respondents who attended a local Headway service, 72% of survivors and 71% of carers said it helped with loneliness, while 66% of both groups said it helped their emotional wellbeing. That is why ongoing specialist community support matters. At Headway Shropshire, our focus is not simply on “recovery”. It is about helping each person adapt, maintain or rebuild independence, reconnect with others, develop confidence and continue living a life that feels meaningful to them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an acquired brain injury (ABI)?
An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that happens after birth. Causes can include trauma, stroke, brain haemorrhage, brain tumour, infection or a period when the brain does not receive enough oxygen.
Does a brain injury always cause visible physical disability?
No. Many effects of brain injury are hidden. Someone may experience fatigue, memory or concentration problems, changes in thinking or communication, anxiety, changes in confidence, emotions or behaviour even when they look physically well.
Is a stroke an acquired brain injury?
Yes. Stroke is one of the common causes of acquired brain injury, and Headway Shropshire can support people living with the effects of stroke where our services are suitable for their needs.
Does everyone with a brain injury experience the same problems?
No. Every brain injury and every person is different. The effects vary, and the support that helps one person may be very different from what another person needs.
Is it too late to ask for support if my brain injury happened years ago?
Absolutely not. It does not matter whether your brain injury is recent or happened many years ago. People can need support with confidence, independence, relationships, routines or community life long after hospital or formal rehabilitation has ended.
Get support here.
Can people still make progress years after a brain injury?
Yes. There is no single timetable for life after brain injury. People can continue to learn, adapt, regain skills or find new ways of doing things over a long period, and progress looks different for everyone.
Will everyone with the same condition receive the same support?
No. We look at the person, not just the diagnosis – including their goals, independence, communication, wellbeing, risks and support needs in everyday life.
As part of this, we may use My Brain Star, a person-centred outcome tool designed specifically for people living with acquired brain injury. It helps us work with you to understand what is going well, where you may want more support and what you would like to work towards.
My Brain Star gives us a structured way to agree goals, track progress over time and make sure your support continues to reflect what matters to you.
So even if two people have the same diagnosis, their support plans can look very different because their lives, priorities and goals are different.
Why can fatigue be such a big issue after brain injury?
Brain injury fatigue can be very different from ordinary tiredness. Thinking, concentrating, managing stimulation and completing everyday tasks can take much more effort, so pacing, rest and changes to routines may be important.
How can Headway Shropshire help?
We provide specialist support through the Headway Hub, ABICS one-to-one community support and peer support. Our focus is helping people build or maintain independence, connect with others and live a life that matters to them. Not sure which service fits? Get in touch and we will talk it through with you.
Can’t see your question here?
Don’t worry – the team at Headway Shropshire are here to help!