Thank you all for attending this AGM, and a particular mention to our Anthony, one of our service users.

I believe that everyone connected with Headway Tyneside should be extremely proud of what we have achieved over the last 12 months.

The Trustee Board finalised strategic objectives in early autumn 2024, namely:

1. MAINTAIN deliver of our foundational services
2. EXTEND provision to include specific support for carers and families
3. INCREASE opportunities for life and work skill development
4. GROW visibility and membership

All of our foundational services – the weekly WGP social, biweekly social drop in at SAW, walking football, monthly outings, signposting etc – have continued with strong attendance.  We continue to hear great feedback about the sense of support within, and, indeed, the boost in happiness from being part of the HW-T community.

While carers have always been a welcome part of that community, we have made good progress over the last six months in increasing our carer focused support.  This includes a dedicated section on our website, the addition of carer related content in each monthly newsletter and the start of a carers’ group that will run alongside the WGP Social.

Skill development has taken many forms, including brain injury information courses, sleep masterclasses, photography & cookery classes, and public speaking opportunities.  An amazing 26 people from HW-T joined LAN 2025, with the weekend and all the activities on offer receiving brilliant feedback.

Considerable effort and attention has been put against improving the consistency and regularity of Social Media posts on Facebook & Instagram, resulting in a 100% increase in reach.  Our external profile has been grown by proactively reach out to meet relevant healthcare teams in the local area, such as Stroke Teams & Support groups, and Northumbria Healthcare Team NSECH.  Good press coverage resulted from one member’s story being utilised in the Admiral “Drive Safely” Campaign with Headway UK, and from a service user’s family member being shortlisted as a finalist for the Headway UK Carer of the Year Award.  We also engaged with local MP Catherine McKinnell, welcoming Catherine to mini-golf in Gosforth Park, and appeared on Catherine’s webpage.

Our total membership now stands at 97, with 50 “engaged” (having attended events in the last 12 months).  This is an increase of 7-8.  The number of subscribers on our mailing list has increased from 164 to 193.

In addition to our Headway Tyneside programme, we have successfully delivered against our Headway 2 Work contract for Durham and Darlington, and seen its renewal for a further year.

None of this would be possible without the enthusiasm, professional and personal skills of our two staff members.  At the time of the 2024 AGM, we had just received the news of Ellie North’s resignation and what followed was a very difficult few months where an unfair burden fell on our senior staff member – Jo Wallis’ – shoulders.  We are extremely grateful to Jo for her commitment and perseverance through this period.  The good news was a wonderful addition to the team – Hannah Joenn – from November.  Hannah has already had significant impact, particularly in her interactions with members and her work on our Social Media presence.  Thank you both for what you do, and who you are.

A big thank you, too, to the 5 volunteers who have supported the WGP social group, with a total contribution of 144 hours.  A particular shout out to Kayleigh who has helped regularly all year, becoming a familiar face to members.

And, of course, thank you also to our many stakeholders and funders (including SAW, WGP, Darlington & Durham CCG, NUF, Sintons, Morrison’s, Speech Therapy North East client group and many more), without whom we could do little.

More “behind the scenes”, the trustees have also played a key role in enabling and developing the work of HW-T.  While sorry to have Jess Meadows and Lisa Crowther leave the Board, we are very pleased to welcome Dave Lees back from his sabbatical period, and Alex Donaldson to join us as Secretary. Our strategy choices – finalised in autumn 2024 – are driving clarity and focus to our programme, work and discussions, and continued progress on our governance has provided guidance and reduced risk.  Rapid recruitment of Hannah as our new Community Development Officer was a lifeline.  Our clinical sub-team provides highly valued ongoing – and often hands on – support to our staff and programme.

The voluntary hours put in by all our trustees are massively appreciated, but particular thanks this year to Sophie and Ellie in our finance and fundraising team for maintaining our financial robustness in what remains a very challenging external environment and for guiding the Board to our decision to deliberately shift our strategy from grant applications to corporate funding as a primary source.

There is, of course, always more we want to do.  In terms of our programme, our strategic objectives will be unchanged for 2025-2026.  We will remain alert to all opportunities that would help us step towards our “North Star” of 1:1 support to rebuild lives up to and including a return to work.  For the Board, priorities include our funding strategy, Trustee recruitment & HW-T’s visibility and profile.