Online Brain Injury Groups
Classes, courses and discussions
What are online groups and who are they for?
Cognivate’s online groups are another part of our approach to unlocking lives after brain injury – using video calls to bring psychoeducation into your front room. Each of our groups has been carefully designed to focus on particular topics or activities which may be important to someone whose life has been affected by brain injury.
All the groups are small, with no more than 8 people so that everyone can see each other on their screen and has an opportunity to chat, ask questions, and get to know each other. Some groups are for everyone – for example our ‘Understanding Brain Injury’ group. Others focus on specific issues which may have arisen for some people but not others. Attendance is free.
Why join an online group?
Group discussions and activities are a great way of exploring issues, sharing solutions to problems, and practising techniques. Online groups enable our therapists to bring people facing similar challenges together, wherever they live.
Our groups aim to help those who have been affected by brain injury to:
- make sense of what has happened to them
- talk about their experiences and compare notes
- access expert advice from qualified therapists
- try out exercises and strategies
- and most of all, support each other.
How to sign up
If you’re interested in signing up for one of our online groups, or referring someone then please use this form.
Once we’ve received your form, one of our therapists will arrange a short call to assess your needs and determine whether one of our upcoming groups is right for you.
Before a group starts we will send all participants the start date, joining instructions, and any other relevant information.
Understanding brain injury
The Understanding Brain Injury Group is for adults with an acquired brain injury who would like to learn more about brain injury, the effects it can have, and what can help recovery. Family members and carers are welcome to attend too. It is free to attend but spaces are limited.
Over the 6 week course each of our therapists will explain how brain injury can affect the way we move, see and hear, think and remember, communicate and feel, and what you can do to help manage this.
Key details
- 50-minute sessions
- 17th January - 21st February 2024
- 6 week course (one session a week)
- Takes place on Zoom
- Led by specialist neuro Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, SLT and Neuropsychologist
Sessions will cover
- Basic brain anatomy and different types of injury
- Physical effects of brain injury
- Communication difficulties following brain injury
- Cognitive effects of brain injury
- Emotional effects of brain injury
- Recovery and rehabilitation
Managing Emotions After Brain Injury
This group is designed for those who have experienced changes in mood following a brain injury, for example feeling low, anxious, irritable or having mood swings.
Over the 6 week course we will explore common emotional changes after brain injury, why they happen, and what you can do to manage them. This course is led by our Neuropsychologist Martha.
Key details
- 50-minute sessions
- 28th Feb - 3rd April 2024
- 6 week course (one session a week)
- Takes place on Zoom
- Led by experienced neuropsychologist Martha Turner
Sessions will cover
- Common emotional changes after brain injury
- Mood swings
- Low mood
- Feeling anxious and worried
- Temper outbursts and irritability
- Strategies to manage mood and emotions
Managing Fatigue after Brain Injury
This group is for adults experiencing fatigue after brain injury. The group consists of 6 weekly sessions and one additional follow-up session after a month.
Facilitated by our occupational therapist, Alison Hipkiss, we will discuss what fatigue is, how to recognise fatigue and triggers, and explore ways to help you manage it. Weekly tasks are set to help you apply the information from the sessions to your own life.
Key details
- 60-minute sessions
- 17th April - 22nd May 2024
- 6 week course (one session a week)
- Takes place on Zoom
- Led by experienced neuro occupational therapist Alison Hipkiss
Sessions will cover
- The reasons people experience fatigue after brain injury
- Recognising fatigue and triggers
- Managing influencing factors such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, and low mood
- Fatigue management strategies
Key details
- 60-minute sessions
- 30th May - 14th June, 2024
- 3 week course (one session a week)
- Takes place on Zoom
- Led by experienced neuro physiotherapist, Kathy McDougall
Sessions will cover
- More information coming soon.
Neuropilates
The ‘Introduction to Neuropilates’ is led by our neurophysiotherapist Kathy McDougall and is designed to introduce you to the principles of pilates with the aim of building your confidence to attend a regular pilates/neuropilates class.
The course is designed to be accessible for those with neurological difficulties and will introduce you to the 5 key elements of pilates and teach you a variety of basic pilates exercises. You will be given a specific exercise to practise each week.
Key details
- 2025 dates coming soon!
- 6-week course (one session a week)
- 60-minute sessions
- Takes place on Zoom
- Led by experienced neurophysiotherapist Kathy McDougall
The sessions will cover
- Posture
- Balance
- Strength
- Flexibility
Cognitive skills after brain injury
The Cognitive Skills After Brain Injury Group is an 6 week course for adults with acquired brain injury and their family member or carer. Each session mixes learning with activities and discussion to help participants deal with the challenges they face with concentrating, remembering, and reasoning things through.
Alison, our occupational therapist, will lead the sessions and help the group to understand the reasons for these problems and to explore how a range of techniques can help. Weekly tasks are given at the end of each week to apply information and strategies learnt in real life.
Key details
- 60-minute sessions
- 11th September - 16th October 2024
- 6 week course (one session a week)
- Takes place on Zoom
- Led by experienced neuro occupational therapist Alison Hipkiss
Sessions will cover
- Basic brain anatomy and the cognitive skills hierarchy
- Strategies to help manage cognitive difficulties
- Attention skills
- Memory skills
- Information processing
- Executive function
Key details
- Planned for December 2024
- 60-minute sessions
- 3 week course (one session per week)
- Takes place on Zoom
- Led by an experienced neurorehabilitation team
Sessions will cover
- More information coming soon.
Key details
- Planned for early 2025
- Takes place on Zoom
- Led by experienced neuro speech therapists
Sessions will cover
- More information coming soon.