UKABIF Summit 2023 Draws Huge Audience

The 2023 UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum Summit once again proved a success attracting hundreds of attendees with a packed programme of expert speakers discussing everything from women and brain injury, suicide and brain injury and the role schools can play in supporting children affected by an acquired injury.

The Lowry in Salford hosted this year’s conference with delegates from across the country attending.

Sir Chris Bryant MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) opened the conference as he gave an update on the Government’s Acquired Brain Injury Strategy and offered guidance on how to engage MPs to encourage them to support the Strategy.

The morning saw a focus on ‘Women and Brain Injury’ with discussions on women in sport, domestic violence and how The Care Act (2014) works in supporting women with a brain injury. As always, some of the most powerful talks came from people with lived experience. A panel of three young women talking about their experiences of living with an acquired brain injury captivated the audience with their insights, wit and top tips for supporting young people.

Suicide and brain injury was highlighted in a series of presentations including Liz Twist MP providing a detailed look at the Government’s Suicide Prevention Strategy as well as a session on suicide and self-harm in prisons and the importance of screening for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

The Summit, sponsored by Irwin Mitchell, Cygnet Health Care, Frenkel Topping Group and Leigh Day, was preceded by a wonderful fundraising dinner the evening before where the winners of the annual UKABIF Awards were announced. The Awards, sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors, saw the Stephen McAleese Award for Inspiration go to joint winners. Leon, who suffered a brain injury aged 28 years, was recognised for his work as a mentor at Rehabilitate while Dr Jenna Moffitt and Dr Don Brechin were recognised for their work in research and data showing what further provisions are needed to support people affected by brain injury in the North East.

The Mike Barnes Award for Innovation went to Melo - an AI driven app that is designed to help clinicians better understand challenging behaviours and improve the way data is used to support patients.

The Poster Award went to ‘Life Threads’ - a study aimed at supporting families after traumatic brain injury through visual representation.

Chloe Hayward, Chief Executive of UKABIF, said: “What an incredible Summit that was! Thank you so much to our wonderful line-up of expert speakers for their knowledge, experience and inspiration.

“It is always wonderful to see so many people attending and hearing the conversations and seeing connections made throughout the day. It is always a packed programme and it is vital that we all work together and learn in order for us to strive to provide the best support possible for anyone affected by an Acquired Brain Injury.”