As a result of an accident at work, Julie sustained a Right Frontal Clinoid Meningioma in October 2023. Julie was referred to the Inclusion Works South Eastern Team in May 2024. When Julie's goals were to improve confidence and stamina with the view to returning to her job in the future.

Soon after Julie started the Inclusion Works programme she became a member of Balmoral’s Personal Effectiveness After Brain Injury (PEABI) group. Julie undertook the modules of this group and these supported her to better understand her Brain Injury and learn strategies to help her in her brain injury journey.

Along with receiving support within the PEABI Group, Julie received support from Workable NI to meet regularly with Julie’s employer/HR and management regarding her return to work and reasonable adjustments required for this to be successful for both Julie and her employer.

Julie started a phased return to work over a 12 week period with the reasonable adjustments put in place and has now fully returned to her previous job role.

Speaking about her experience with Cedar Julie said:

Initially I was worried about starting Cedar and PEABI and wondered what it was all about, how could it help me, and would I have enough energy to go and take part in the group. Why did I stress? Everyone was so welcoming and I looked forward to and loved going to the group each week. PEABI lifted my spirts, we laughed a lot, and I learned a lot about how to cope with life after Brain Surgery. I have made wonderful friends and a new family. I loved going each week and I’m going to miss it now I’ve fully returned to work. Eve is my Case Officer and the leader of PEABI in Balmoral. She is so lovely and really approachable as well as, helpful, supportive, empathetic and always there for advice and direction. PEABI has helped me so much in my recovery, I will be forever grateful. Workable (WNI) within Cedar has supported me every step of my return to work journey. Lauren has supported me at work meetings prior to my return and has been very encouraging in my journey back to work. She was and still is available for advice. I couldn’t have faced the journey back to work without her support and encouragement.