Letter to the Editor: Rebuilding lives after brain injury: The Brews Hill Clubhouse, Navan

(Editor, Meath Chronicle),

Dear Sir - Members at the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland ‘Brews Hill Clubhouse’ are calling on individuals, schools and businesses in Meath to ‘raise some dough’ for survivors of brain injury next month. The call comes ahead of Brain Awareness Week, marked globally this year between 10th and 16th March, and as the Clubhouse team prepares to host its annual ‘Bake for Brain Injury’ fundraising event.

The Brews Hill Clubhouse for survivors of brain injury at Brews Hill, Navan, was formally opened in September 2023. This day facility – the first brain injury Clubhouse in the county – provides peer support, group and cognitive neuro-rehabilitation to help people impacted by acquired brain injury to re-gain independence, learn new skills and build connections in their community.

The Clubhouse was established initially as a pilot project thanks to generous funding donated by businesses including Mercury Engineering. Now it is funded on an ongoing basis with support from the HSE, and through grants and local fundraising.

It is vital for survivors of brain injury to have peer support and access to a Clubhouse service. It offers a safe space to interact, develop skills and confidence without judgement. It is a place where members can talk about their struggles after brain injury.

We are very grateful to our partners who help fund the Clubhouse premises and staff. But we rely on the generosity of local supporters and businesses to enable us to run the service day-to-day, and to continue to offer meaningful activities and events for our members.

On 12th March, from 12 noon – 2pm, we’re opening our doors again and inviting everyone in the community to visit us for our ‘Bake for Brain Injury’ fundraiser. There will be lots of treats to try and buy – many of them crafted by our members – and all money raised will go directly to the operations of the Clubhouse and our work for survivors of brain injury in Meath.

Since opening, the Brews Hill Clubhouse has grown to cater for 25 members between the ages of 18 and 65. Currently the Clubhouse opens three days per week, with members participation varying depending on their individual support needs and interests. Weekly activities vary from art to yoga, history to woodwork. The Clubhouse team was especially delighted to have been nominated for the 2024 Pride of Place awards and to receive a special recognition.

Aisling Morris is among those attending the Clubhouse – a survivor of brain injury whose life was forever changed in 2005 when she was struck by a car outside her home. Aisling explains how at Brews Hill she meets people of all abilities, others who have experienced the same struggles, and who understand her challenges.

“Before Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, I felt so solitary, like I was the only one.” At the Clubhouse, she found comfort in sharing stories, exchanging tips and being surrounded by the people who ‘get it’. Now, Aisling continues her rehabilitation journey in many ways including through art, mindfulness, cooking and creative writing classes – all of which remind her of just how far she has come.

The Brews Hill Clubhouse team and members continue to find unique opportunities to engage in and contribute to their own and neighbouring communities. In November last year they took a trip to Athlone, where they ventured on the Viking Boat Trip. In December, the group hosted a Christmas Craft Fair. A wide range of beautiful art and crafts created by the members were made available for display and purchase, and thanks to the support of visitors from the local community, the event raised just over €2,500 for the service. The goal of the team in 2025 is to raise enough money through grants and donations to develop the Clubhouse garden for members, some of whom have recently formed a gardening group.

Acquired brain injury is a hidden phenomenon in Ireland, affecting some 19,000 people every year – that’s 52 people every single day. Brain injuries happen overnight – with causes including stroke, falls, assaults, road traffic collisions or brain tumours – and often have lifelong and life changing impacts for the person and their family. Through its specialist rehabilitation services and supports, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland helps as many survivors as possible to rebuild their lives after brain injury.

Event details:

What? Bake for Brain Injury – bake sale and community fundraising event

When: 12th March 2025, 12 – 2pm

Where: 26 Brews Hill, Dillonsland, Navan, County Meath, C15 A50F

Yours

Kate Leonard,

Local Service Manager

E: kleonard@abiireland.ie

W: www.abiireland.ie