A big part of our work is spreading safety messages to help prevent those brain injuries that could been avoided. Each year, the Child Brain Injury Trust runs a campaign during Action for Brain Injury Week (week beginning 8th May 2017) and this year we would love you to get involved.

Our 2017 campaign, supported by the Child Brain Injury Team at Bolt Burdon Kemp Solicitors, is all about the early years. We all know that taking care of a baby or toddler can be a challenge at the best of times. They are very curious about the world around them, and strive for independence. This adventurous nature means they can get themselves into risky, and potentially dangerous situations.

We know there is a need to provide targeted training to people in the early years setting, what brain injury is, the signs to look out for and where and when to get help. This gap has been identified by local government with one UK region funding this area of our work specifically.

During Action for Brain Injury Week (8th – 14th May), we will be delivering awareness sessions without charge to day care settings, playschools and nurseries. If you would like to book a session please call our team on 01869 341075, who will put you in touch with a local contact.

We are also working with childcare professionals across the UK to design a new, tailor made training programme for staff working with young children.  This will be available from the summer.

Of course, we mustn’t forget the fun part – the Teddy Bear Toddle that schools and nurseries can take part in.  This sponsored event will provide vital funding to support our work helping families right across the UK. Events kick off on Monday 8th May 2017, with the Big Teddy Bear Toddle taking place on Thursday 11th May.

We’re building a picture of the understanding of brain injury across the UK, you can help us shape the future of services for children by filling out this quick survey. It’s all online, completely anonymous and takes less than five minutes to complete. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/cbitearlyyears

(1) “Epidemiology of children with head injury: a national overview”, by L Trefan, R Houston, G Pearson, R Edwards, P Hyde, I Maconochie and RC Parslow 2016. Published by the Archive of Diseases in Childhood. Click here to read the full article.