Acquired Brain Injury Education Service
The Acquired Brain Injury Education Service (ABIES) exists as the result of a partnership between South Worcestershire College and The Acquired Aphasia Trust
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Background of the Acquired Brain Injury Service 

In response to the almost complete lack of community based rehabilitation for those who had experienced a brain injury, the service was established at South Worcestershire College in 1984.

 

Initially funded by the Manpower Services Commission, it became an independent unit in 1988, with professional staffing and its own management committee.  For ten years it received grant aid from Hereford and Worcester Local Education Authority.  In 1991 The Acquired Aphasia Trust was set up as a registered charity to raise funds to support the work of the service.

 

In 1988, due to radical changes in funding, day to day management of the Acquired Brain Injury Education Service (ABIES) passed to South Worcestershire College and now operates in partnership with the Acquired Aphasia Trust.

Facts about Brain Injury
About 1,000,000 people per year in the UK are disabled by a head injury. The effects may be devastating and far-reaching, affecting not only the injured person, but family, friends and work colleagues.
 
The severity of the injury may vary from mild to moderate to severe. 70-90% of treated brain injuries are classed as mild.
 
People with an apparently slight injury may still experience difficulties with memory, concentration, communication, problem solving, mood and personality changes, as well as fatigue and intolerance to their environment. In addition to these problems people may have complex physical and sensory difficulties.
 
Stroke has similar effects. About 100,000 people per year will experience their first stroke, 10,000 of whom are under the age of 55. In total 300,000 are affected by stroke in the UK.