This film was made with clients from Headway Surrey, who express what it is like to live with a brain injury or care for somebody with lived experience. Watch and hear people’s stories, in their own words. We see how art and nature can support our lives and recoveries – helping us keep going in our day-to-day struggles, also helping us celebrate and live well.

Feedback from participants who are featured in the film:

Neil: “I think Lorna and her team who made the film have made a great little film which looks like a professional job considering the equipment used to make it, I like that in a short space of time they have managed to cover the different circumstances that are prevalent in BI, I think this and any project that promotes Brain Injury to a wider field is extremely necessary and believe Lorna has achieved this and needs more funding to take the project further; was it helpful? yes it got me out and was enjoyable interacting with Lorna and her team and importantly this was made by people who have experienced BI.” 

Roy: “Yes, it’s very powerful. Well done, Lorna and Headway 👏 The editing is amazing and complimentary music with the footage. I’m happy with that.”

Jo: “Thank you for this. It was lovely to see my elephant picture. The film is lovely and it was very lovely to see Jane. I don’t remember doing it, but it was lovely watching it. Lots of love, Jo xxx”

[Just a note from staff at Headway Surrey to say that, when the film was shared in the centre to our client group, Jo cried happy tears and was truly staggered to see herself on screen and, in the moment, was able to acknowledge how well she had told her story. She had an enormous sense of pride that stayed with her throughout the rest of the day, which is a significant length of time for her to retain information, and initiated comments about the content of the film to others who visited in the afternoon.]

Monique: “I am so impressed with the way you edited the film and captured everyone’s story in such a short and sensitive manner. It gives “outsiders” a better understanding of how a brain injury is a hidden disability that affects people in very different ways. I like how you filmed the art being done inside and then us being outside on that beautiful spring day.[…] It’s all about being able to try to understand how a brain injury affects every single person differently. […] You should be very proud of what you have captured. I did cry – but as you experienced 1st hand I cry easily!”

Responses from Headway clients watching the film:

“The film was truly inspiring and had genuine emotional depth, I appreciated the unique perspective you brought to it. I especially liked to scene where the people were walking and you could see the reflections. It was somehow as though the thinking was being done through another media. Which is sometimes how my thoughts feel, as a brain injured person.

I loved the music even though I didn’t recognise it, it was perfect. The bird song you could hear in the background also added a really relatable feel.  

I commend you on an excellent piece of creative work and wish you every success in your future endeavours.”

“It’s really good and very clear and understandable.”

“A really powerful video. Shows the great work that Headway Surrey does for its clients. An excellent short film to help people to understand about acquired brain injury.”

“Having the decision to actually hear us personally talk about their ‘journey’ was hard hitting but very effective. Love the soundtrack! Reflections on the water was lovely :-)”

Responses from staff at Headway Surrey:

“I was in the room when the film was shared with Headway UK CEO Luke during Brain Injury Awareness Week; it stopped everyone in their tracks while they watched in silence and awe and then brought smiles and tears in equal measure. I wanted to say how fabulous and impactful the film is, and how amazing it is to hear our lovely clients articulate their thoughts so eloquently. It is powerful stuff.”

“Very moving. Emotional but relatable. Reality. Beneficial for people to know how it affects others.”

“Powerful message. Informative. Real people, real stories, emotional.”

“A wonderful description of how nature and art can be therapy after brain injury. It shows how the unseen part of brain injury impacts people but how finding new pathways can give hope for the future.”

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Huge thanks to Adam Dickens for all his help in editing the film, to the clients from Headway Surrey and the staff who have helped so much to bring this project together.