This year, for Action for Brain Injury Week 2025, the theme "On a Good Day" shines a light on this hidden world - a world of fluctuating ability, silent struggles, and incredible resilience.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is often called the "invisible injury" and for good reason. From the outside, many people living with a brain injury may appear to be doing fine.

"On a Good Day" captures the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of brain injury. It highlights the gap between what someone can do when they’re feeling well and what happens on the days when the long-term effects of brain injury take over.

To best support people with ABI in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) locality, Cedar has developed a series of new information leaflets designed to support adults living with ABI which was launched as part of Action for Brain Injury Week.

The leaflet series was created in close collaboration with service users and those with lived experience and caring experience of ABI. The resource aims to provide accessible, practical information for individuals navigating life after ABI to work toward “On a Good Day”.

It was highlighted that in the early stages of ABI, clear need for information that not only explains the effects of brain injury but also outlines what recovery may look like and the range of support available to assist them is needed. Cedar’s services support individuals at various stages of their recovery journey from rehabilitation and reablement to social inclusion, training, and employment. The aim is to empower adults with ABI to live more independently and achieve their personal goals with the right support in place.

In response, the new leaflet series will focus on:

· An overview of the effects of ABI

· A detailed look at the community-based services Cedar provides within the South Eastern HSCT area

· Outcomes and real-life impacts of these services and testimonials from individuals who have accessed Cedar’s support

· Cedar’s bespoke ABI Training for service users on personal effectiveness after brain injury

The leaflet was launched at Cedar’s offices in Belfast during ABI Week at an event with service users, staff and colleagues from South Eastern HSCT Community Brain Injury Team. Guests included Lois Rutherford and Claire Burnside, Occupational Therapists from the South Eastern HSCT, who work in partnership with Cedar to provide a holistic person-centered approach to delivery of quality services.

Kieran Molloy, Head of Employability Services at Cedar, said:

"We’re proud to launch these new information leaflets as part of Action for Brain Injury Week 2025. They reflect not just the services we provide, but the voices and experiences of the people we support every day. The theme 'On a Good Day' really resonates with our work

helping individuals with acquired brain injury to build confidence, regain independence, and take positive steps forward, whatever their goals may be. These resources were developed with our service users and for them, and we hope they will make a real difference for those starting out on their recovery journey."

Cedar Service User said:

“After my brain injury, even simple things felt impossible some days. People didn’t always see the struggle because I looked fine on the outside but inside, everything had changed. Cedar helped me understand what was happening to me, and they gave me the tools and support to take small steps forward. On a good day now, I feel like myself again. I’m working towards more of those days, and I know I’m not doing it alone."

Dr Lisa Rubbins, Clinical Psychologist South Eastern HSCT said:

“The South Eastern Trust’s Community Brain Injury Team are proud to work in partnership with Cedar. Cedar has been an invaluable resource for our clients – promoting independence, self-esteem, confidence and so much more. Most of all, through Cedar, our clients can see that there is life after brain injury and realise that they are not alone in this journey. We are so excited to share these leaflets with our clients, to continue to promote the excellent services offered by Cedar, to enhance future engagement and support our clients to fulfil their potential and restore a sense of normality after brain injury”.