Social Inclusion after Brain Injury

“Transfer of good practices and knowledge in social inclusion of people with acquired brain injury” is an international cooperation project that is being realized by CEREBRUM Czech Republic in partnership with BIF - EC. The project started in September 2009 and is financed by European Social Fund through the Human Resources and Employment Operational Program.

Main objectives of the project

• to identify key problems of system of care and rehabilitation after ABI in the Czech Republic
• to propose necessary system changes and to create a conception of system of care and rehabilitation after BI
• to transfer good practice and knowledge in social inclusion of people with brain injuries
• to increase awareness about BI to the public and relevant stakeholders

Key activities

Analysis of current situation - system recommendations and good practice

The main aim of this activity is to analyse the situation in the Czech Republic and to create the conception of system of care and rehabilitation for people after acquired brain injury (ABI). The expert team has been established and meets during the round table discussions and workgroup meetings. There will be organised two international workshops with foreign experts to enable the transfer of examples of good practice from abroad.

Furthermore, the quantitative research on availability of services in the Czech Republic and the qualitative research on situation of family members of people after ABI have been carried out to provide statistical data about the situation in the Czech Republic.

The outcomes of the Analysis will be summarised into the document Report on good practice and system recommendations after BI that will be presented during final conference.

Transfer of good practice: Danish Head House / HovedHuset

The visit of two emplyoees in Danish center for social and employment integration of people after ABI called HovedHuset took place in February 2010. This working visit was followed by practical workshop with Danish partners in May 2010, presenting the concept and the functionning of HovedHuset. The information gained were summarised and published in the brochure about Clubhouse Model and HovedHuset centre.

Transfer of good practice: practical use of cognitive rehabilitation

The purpose of this activity is to bring further knowledge and experiences with provision of cognitive rehabilitation therapy to the Czech professionals, patients and families. The book „How to do cognitive rehabilitation therapy“ (Kit Malia, Anne Brannagan) was translated into Czech language and published. It will be distributed for free to psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, caregivers/family members etc.

In September 2010 the practical workshop Rehabilitation of cognitive functions was organised in cooperation with the authors of the book, presenting the strategies for cognitive therapy.

Educational seminars

In spring 2011 there will be organized 7 educational seminars in each region of the Czech Republic in order to inform the key workers and decision makers in health and social services about the issues related to brain injury, needs of the target group and examples of good practice from abroad.

Information website about brain injury

The information website will be created in order to provide detailed information about aquired brain injury to both professional and general public. The website will be based on interactive flash animations and will containt sections specially for caregivers and people after ABI.

Final conference

On final conference in May 2011 there will be presented the outcomes of whole project and the document proposing the conception of system of care in Czech Republic: Report on good practice and system recommendations after BI.

Publicity

In order to inform general public as well as the professionals there will be created information materials, such as brochures, books, leaflets, press releases and supporting materials for workshops and seminars etc. All the document aim to increase the awareness about brain injury.

Mobility

In order to increase the knowledge and professional capacity of employees of CEREBRUM, they will participate in trainings and working visits abroad (Denmark, UK).